Big Business (1988 film)
| Big Business | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Jim Abrahams |
| Produced by | Michael Peyser Steve Tisch |
| Written by | Dori Pierson Marc Reid Rubel |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Lee Holdridge |
| Cinematography | Dean Cundey |
| Edited by | Harry Keramidas |
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Production
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| Distributed by | Buena Vista Pictures |
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Release date
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Running time
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97 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $20 million |
| Box office | $40,150,487 |
| Saving Grace | |
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| Soundtrack album by Various Artists | |
| Released | 1988 |
| Genre | Pop, film music |
| Producer | Marc Shaiman |
| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |
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Big Business is a 1988 American comedy film starring Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin (each playing two roles). The movie revolves around two sets of identical female twins; one of each pair was mismatched at birth, with one ending in a wealthy urban family (the Sheltons) and the other in a poor rural family (the Ratliffs). It was produced by Touchstone Pictures, with the plot loosely based on The Comedy of Errors (1589–1594) by William Shakespeare.
The film co-stars Fred Ward, Edward Herrmann, Joe Grifasi, and Seth Green, as well as siblings Michael Gross and Mary Gross. Directed by Jim Abrahams, critical reaction to the film as a whole was generally lukewarm. Midler received an American Comedy Award in the category Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture for her performance, in 1989.
In 1948, wealthy businessman Hunt Shelton and his heavily pregnant wife get lost in rural West Virginia when Mrs. Shelton goes into labor near the town of Jupiter Hollow. At the local hospital, they are turned away because it is exclusively for employees of Hollowmade, the local furniture maker. Mr. Shelton buys the company on the spot, and Mrs. Shelton is then admitted. The Ratliffs, an impoverished couple, arrive moments later with Mrs. Ratliff also in labor. Both women give birth to twin girls, and the elderly nurse attending the doctor confuses and mixes up the sets of twins. Mr. Ratliff overhears the Sheltons deciding to name their daughters Rose and Sadie, and suggests the same names to his wife.
Forty years later, the Shelton sisters are now co-chairwomen of Moramax in New York City, a conglomerate that is the successor to their father's business interests. Sadie Shelton (Midler) is focused on her career to the detriment of her family, while Rose Shelton (Tomlin) wishes for a simpler life in the country. As part of her business plan, Sadie plans to sell Hollowmade, but must get stockholders' approval to proceed. In Jupiter Hollow, Rose Ratliff (Tomlin) has risen to the position of forewoman at the Hollowmade Factory, and is also very career-driven. Meanwhile, Sadie Ratliff (Midler) has always felt misplaced in rural life and wishes for a more sophisticated life in a big city. Rose discovers Moramax's plans to sell Hollowmade and makes plans to travel to New York City to stop the sale. Wanting to see (and stay in) the city, Sadie agrees to join her sister.
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