It Takes Two Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two identical girls, one rich, one not, swap lives to set up their single parental figures because apparently, therapy wasn’t an option in the 90s.

🍿 It Takes Two: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Accidental Meeting

Alyssa Callaway, a wealthy girl, and Amanda Lemmon, an orphan, are identical strangers who unexpectedly cross paths. Alyssa lives a privileged life with her widowed father, Roger, while Amanda resides at an orphanage under the care of social worker Diane Barrows. This chance encounter sets the stage for their switcheroo.

The Switch

Discovering their uncanny resemblance, Alyssa and Amanda devise a plan to swap lives. Amanda aims to sabotage Roger’s impending marriage to the unpleasant Clarice Kensington, whom the girls believe is only after his fortune. Simultaneously, Alyssa hopes to connect Diane and Roger, seeing Diane as a much better match for her father and a potential mother figure for Amanda.

Mischief and Mayhem

As Alyssa navigates the challenges of orphanage life and Amanda attempts to disrupt Clarice’s plans, comical chaos ensues. From food fights to unexpected encounters, their meddling leads to hilarious situations and brings Roger and Diane closer together. Their efforts highlight the genuine connection between Roger and Diane, contrasting sharply with Roger’s superficial relationship with Clarice.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Alyssa Callaway (Ashley Olsen): A wealthy but lonely girl who switches places with a look-alike to escape her father’s impending marriage.
• Amanda Lemmon (Mary-Kate Olsen): An orphaned tomboy who swaps lives with a rich girl in hopes of finding a family.
• Roger Callaway (Steve Guttenberg): Alyssa’s widowed father, a wealthy businessman, who is oblivious to his fiancee’s true nature.
• Diane Barrows (Kirstie Alley): Amanda’s kind-hearted social worker who dreams of adopting her but lacks the financial means.
• Clarice Kensington (Jane Sibbett): Roger’s social-climbing and conniving fiancee who is disliked by Alyssa and plots to exploit Roger’s wealth.
• Vincenzo (Philip Bosco): The Callaway’s loyal and supportive butler who is aware of Alyssa’s mischievous nature and offers gentle guidance.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Diane Barrows: “Besides, you don’t want to be an orphan forever.” – Diane expresses her concern for Amanda’s future while discussing adoption.
• Amanda Lemmon: “So adopt me, why don’t you!” – Amanda jokingly suggests Diane adopt her because she doesn’t want to live at the orphanage.
• Amanda Lemmon: “So, get a husband.” – Amanda suggests Diane gets married to fulfill the requirements of adopting her.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $25,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $19,474,589
• Worldwide Gross: $19,474,589

💥 It Takes Two Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I’ll admit it, I watched this movie a million times as a kid. The Olsen twins were everything! It’s definitely cheesy and predictable now, but there’s something so comforting about it. That whole junkyard scene with Amanda and Alyssa was just epic. It’s feel-good fluff, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen”
  • “Viewers who enjoy family comedies”
  • “Those looking for lighthearted, nostalgic films”
  • “People who like movies with a ‘Parent Trap’ theme”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Some slapstick comedy”
  • “Brief mild peril for children (food fight scene)”
  • “A villainous character exhibiting unkind behavior”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite the presence of recognizable actors like Kirstie Alley and Steve Guttenberg, the film lacks originality and relies heavily on tired tropes. It struggles to offer anything new to the ‘identical strangers’ formula, making it a forgettable entry in the genre.
• Common Sense Media: “While some family movies try to weave in deeper themes and complex character arcs, It Takes Two keeps it light and straightforward. The plot is easy to follow, and the characters are designed to be broadly appealing, if not particularly nuanced, offering a simple and fun experience.

Audience Reactions

The ‘Hippy Hippy Shake’ scene in the woods is iconic and always puts a smile on my face!: Viewers fondly remember the movie for its lighthearted humor, cute performances by the Olsen twins, and overall nostalgic value.

Overall Consensus: A charming but predictable family film that primarily appeals to fans of the Olsen twins and viewers seeking lighthearted entertainment.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Mara Wilson was considered for the roles of Amanda and Alyssa, but she was unavailable due to her role in ‘Matilda’.”
• “The film was shot in various locations in Ontario, Canada, including Camp Mini-Yo-We.”

🖥️ How to Watch It Takes Two?

It Takes Two is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for streaming availability on services such as Hulu or Disney+ as they may offer it periodically. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray can often be found at major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed It Takes Two, you might like these similar films:

• The Parent Trap (1961): Features a similar plot of twins switching places to change their parents’ lives.
• The Parent Trap (1998): A modern remake of the classic, with identical plot elements.
• The Prince and the Pauper (1990): Explores themes of identity swap and experiencing different social classes.

🛒 It Takes Two Related Products

• Mary-Kate & Ashley: It Takes Two (DVD): Own the classic family comedy on DVD! Relive the fun and heartwarming story of Amanda and Alyssa in this nostalgic release.
• The Parent Trap (1998) [Blu-ray]: Blu-ray edition of ‘The Parent Trap’ (1998) starring Lindsay Lohan, is a similar theme of twins, mistaken identity, and attempts at matchmaking, appealing to fans who like related stories.
• Dualstar Entertainment Group: You’re Invited to Mary-Kate & Ashley’s Sleepover Party [VHS]: VHS edition of You’re Invited to Mary-Kate & Ashley’s Sleepover Party is a nostalgic collectible for fans of Mary-Kate and Ashley, capturing a fun and lighthearted theme.
• Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen: Our Favorite Adventures: This is a picture book featuring adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen with a paperback edition.

🎧 Soundtrack

It Takes Two features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Hippy, Hippy Shake” – performed by The Georgia Satellites

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

#90skids discover fainting gets you attention after watching the Olsen twins in “It Takes Two!”

Ever do something silly as a kid because you saw it in a movie? This person shares a hilarious story about trying to fake faint after watching ‘It Takes Two’ – I can’t stop laughing!

✨ Rate