Big Business (DVD, 2002)

This is a very enjoyable and funny movie starring Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin, who are a tremendous comic duo. It is also quite clean- only very mild language, no sex and nothing even remotely offensive about the plot, so it is appropriate for all audiences.

The story is about 2 sets of identical twins- 1 from a rich & powerful family who live in NY City and 1 from a poor family who live in a small town out in the sticks. One twin from each family is switched at birth. Years later, the "rich" set of twins are now running the family corporation that is planning to strip mine the town where the "poor" twins are living for profit. In response, the "poor" twins go on a moral crusade to NYC to fight the "evil" corporation and save thier town. When they arrive in NYC they are mistaken for the "rich" twins and vice versa... until they finally meet up face to face. During this journey each set of twins must face thier true inner self and decide what is most important to them- money/power or family/tradition...

I lOoooove this flick. It takes me back to being young w/ my mom watching it a laughing uncontrollably. It's basically a pair of identical twins being born at one hospital get mixed somehow pairing one child from each set twins, with a completely different family. The grow up completely opposite, due to their upbringing. Ones family is upper class, buys businesses & breaks them up for sell. In order for the hospital to allow this family to give birth and be cared for there.. they'd have to buy into the town property. Which they do. The other is a lower class family living on farm land. As they grow older this family's land is in jeopardy off being strip mined & they stop @ nothing to try to save it. As the upper class set of twins, are the ones who are trying to make the deal to have it done. The way these two ladies play different attitudes & play off each other is timeless. It will keep me laughing for years.

Two sets of Identical twins are switched arround at birth. One of each go with a rich Family - and one of each go with a poor farm familey... The fun begins when these to sets almost meet and the confusion that sets in over who is who and what is going on -- A very funny movie

I bought this movie when it was VHS. I watched it over and over because I loved how clean and fun it was. I am a twin so I totally related to the comedy! Years later I wanted to own this movie again so I bought the DVD on ebay (this is the only place I could find it for a reasonable price). I've totally enjoyed it several times again! :0)

I adore the comic talents of both Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin and seeing them in this vehicle is a hoot! What really surprised me was watching this in the midst of directing a production of Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors.

Wow! Everything old is new again! The plot construction is the same, the characters somewhat reinvented but the shenanigans are priceless.

Of course being an '80's fluffy comedy, Big Business does reflect the issues of its times - the corporate mergers and takeovers, the destruction of small town American business and community, but it's still a fun piece. . . it's impossible to keep a straight face watching Bette milk a cow while yodeling at a country fair. Pure camp. Lily Tomlin offers a great spin off of her Judith Beasley character in the guise of her countrified Dromio.

Great performances as well with Fred Ward and Edward Hermann.

If you're looking for great fluff or if you're into Shakespeare's comedies - check it out. You'll laugh till you cry.