Another comedy by Director Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters, Junior, Evolution), Twins features Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito as twins, the product of a secret genetic experiment to produce a superior human being. They are not exactly similar twins, however… while Julius (Schwarzenegger) is all that was hoped, a physically, mentally, and morally superior human being, Vincent (DeVito) is a low life frequently in trouble with the police and in even more trouble with loan sharks. When Julius discovers he has a twin brother he sets out to find him, though his sheltered life will not prepare him for what he will find in Vincent, who was shunted off to an orphanage as an accidental by-product of the experiment.

After meeting they will end up embroiled in a plot involving a large sum of money which causes problems for Julius’ conscience, whereas street-smart Vincent has to try and make something of his brother, who only has knowledge gained from books, never experience. The fact that Vincent’s girlfriend’s sister flirts with him from the moment she meets him causes him the most problem. The sisters Linda (Chole Webb) and Marnie (Kelly Preston) join them on their journey to find their mother; but does she want to be found? Who is the mean-looking guy following them? Just what is in the trunk of the car they are driving?

This 1988 comedy is carried by the enjoyable performances of Schwarzenegger and DeVito as the psychologically opposite twins. Schwarzenegger adapted well from action roles to comedy and he has a fine sense of comic timing; vitally, he plays to his strengths – and so does the script. In one scene when he first travels the city, he sees a billboard for Sylvester Stallone in Rambo – he stops, feels the size of his own biceps, smiles and waves his hand at the poster dismissively. The film is filled with little moments like this – not hilarious, true, but quietly amusing and not at all forced. DeVito has made a career out of playing scumballs (I’m really not sure how he’d feel about that if he read it, but it’s true!), and he does it better than almost anyone. The two bounce off each other to fine effect, with their opposite / complimentary characteristics a constant source of conflict or astonishment. Preston and Webb also give good performances as the sisters, while Marshall Bell gives an effective performance as the man in pursuit of them – and what’s in their car.

The humour and action are pretty evenly paced in Twins, as you’d probably expect if you’ve watched other films by Reitman. He mostly manages to deliver funny and entertaining films that are never particularly demanding, and this is no exception. It’s probably one of his best films actually, as it does have a bit more emotional depth than most of his others (of those I’ve seen, anyway). I’ve seen Twins on several occasions and have enjoyed it each time. The fun music score definitely adds significantly to this film.

Overall I wouldn’t say Twins was a brilliant film, but it’s funny, entertaining, and has characters you won’t forget. Recommended to those who like humorous, feel-good films. I have no real criticisms of it apart from that it never becomes hilarious, so as a comedy it’s consistently good but never great.

Other Information

Rating: PG
Runtime: 105 minutes (no complaints about the length)

Twins won the following awards: ASCAP Award Film & Music Award for Top Boc Office Films (for Georges Delerue); BMI Film Music Award (for Randy Endelman); People’s Choice Award for Favourite Comedy Motion Pictured (tied with Tom Hank’s “Big” for this award); nominated for a Golden Globe (Best Original Song in a Motion Picture).

Quotes

Julius: “If you're lying to me, I'll be back!”

----------

Julius: “The pavement was his enemy.”

----------

Julius: “You have no respect for logic.”
Vincent: “But he's got an axe!”

----------

Julius: “Actually, I hate violence.”
Vincent: “But you're so good at it!”

----------

Vincent: “You could be a boxer or something. I could be your manager.“
Julius: “No, I could never fight for money.”
Vincent: “Well that's fine. You fight, I'll keep the money.”

----------

Passing female neighbour, talking about Vincent: ”Excuse me? Excuse me. Never sleep with that man, never loan him money, and never believe a word he tells you. That's free advice.”
Vincent: “Morning, Agnes.”

----------

See also: Top Ten Comedies


Recommended: Yes