BIG BUSINESS. Directed by Jim Abrahams; written by Dori Pierson and Marc Rubel; produced by Steve Tisch and Michael Peyser for Touchstone. Starring Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin. Rated PG (some sexual references, a little vulgar language).
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Big Business isn't as funny as one could expect, with the talented pairing of Midler and Tomlin each playing a double role. If it were, though, it would be funny enough to be hazardous to our health. So perhaps it's just as well that it's not.
It is still an entertaining "Comedy of Errors" story, though, if somewhat tame by the standards of its two stars.
The plot involves two sets of twins (played by Midler and Tomlin) who were mixed up at birth. One set stays in rural, depressed Jupiter Hollow. The other goes back to New York and grows up to operate Moramax Corp., the "big business" of the title.
The prologue which shows how the babies are born and switched is one of the highlights of the movie. The nurse responsible for the confusion is seen mixing up other items, too, like full specimen cups and glasses of juice.
Eventually, a stupefying chain of coincidences brings the mismatched sisters together as adults. But the nonsense is played with such a light and good-natured touch that it's easy to get into the mood and enjoy Big Business in spite of its predictability and hokum.
The movie's versatile stars have a field day getting to be two different characters each. Midler's misplaced country girl and barracuda executive are the choicest roles.
However, the supporting cast is somewhat uneven. The overworked Edward Herrmann looks a bit too silly as a gay Moramax flunky. But Fred Ward, who is also a busy actor these days, is delightful as an irrepressible Jupiter Hollow hick in the big city for the first time.
July 6, 1988