Big Business Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two sets of twins with the same names get mixed up at birth, leading to corporate shenanigans and identity crises at the Plaza Hotel, where everyone’s just trying to figure out who’s who and which twin is trying to shut down their beloved furniture factory.

🍿 Big Business: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Mix-Up at Birth

In 1940s Jupiter Hollow, West Virginia, two sets of identical twins, both named Rose and Sadie, are born in the same hospital. One set belongs to the wealthy Sheltons, the other to the local Ratliffs. Due to a mix-up by the nearsighted nurse, each family raises one Shelton and one Ratliff twin, unaware of the switch.

The Business Deal

Years later, in 1988, the Shelton twins, Rose and Sadie, co-own Moramax in New York City. Ruthless Sadie plans to liquidate Hollowmade Furniture, the main employer in Jupiter Hollow, where the Ratliff twins, Rose and Sadie, live. This decision sets the stage for a clash between the city and country twins.

Arrival in New York

Rose Ratliff, a community activist, and her sister Sadie travel to New York to protest the factory closure. Through a series of comedic mishaps and mistaken identities, the Ratliff twins find themselves at the Plaza Hotel, where the Shelton twins are also staying for business.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Sadie Shelton (Bette Midler): A ruthless businesswoman in New York, co-owner of Moramax, who plans to liquidate Hollowmade.
• Rose Shelton (Lily Tomlin): The more sensitive and flighty co-owner of Moramax who yearns for a simpler life in the country.
• Sadie Ratliff (Bette Midler): A country girl from Jupiter Hollow who dreams of escaping her small town and experiencing the city.
• Rose Ratliff (Lily Tomlin): A strong-willed forewoman at Hollowmade, determined to save her town from being shut down by Moramax.
• Roone Dimmick (Fred Ward): Rose Ratliff’s longtime boyfriend, a professional miniature-golfer, who follows her to New York to win her back.
• Graham Sherbourne (Edward Herrmann): A Moramax employee sent to New York to intercept the Ratliff sisters and prevent them from interfering with the business deal.
• Fabio Alberici (Michele Placido): An Italian businessman and prospective buyer of Hollowmade who becomes entangled in the mistaken identity chaos.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Sadie Shelton: “Is this how we dress for the office? You look like a blood clot!” – Sadie says this to her secretary, criticizing her outfit, showcasing her cold and ruthless personality.
• Sadie Ratliff: “I’ve never been to a place where they shine your shoes inside!” – Said by Sadie Ratliff marveling at the opulence of the Plaza Hotel.
• Homeless Man: “Hey, there’s two of everybody!” – A running gag by a homeless man watching the characters go in and out of the hotel.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $40,150,487
• Worldwide Gross: $40,150,487

💥 Big Business Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely adore ‘Big Business’! Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin are comedic gold together. The scene in the ladies’ room when they finally meet is iconic and had me laughing out loud. It’s a feel-good movie that never fails to brighten my day. The mini golf tournament is amazing. I found this movie to be charming and one that I could enjoy over and over. I thought that both of them gave it their all in order to deliver an iconic performance.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin”
  • “Viewers who enjoy classic comedies with mistaken identities”
  • “Audiences looking for light-hearted, feel-good movies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Some suggestive humor”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “Big Business boasts a clever premise, but the execution feels somewhat lacking. While Midler and Tomlin are individually talented, the film never quite transcends its farcical setup. The mistaken identity sequences are predictable, and the overall experience is more amusing than truly hilarious. The plot feels contrived, relying too heavily on coincidences.
• Variety: “Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin work hard in dual roles, but ‘Big Business’ struggles to find consistent laughs. While there are moments of genuine humor, the film ultimately feels like a missed opportunity, lacking the sharp wit and clever writing needed to elevate it above a typical farce. Special effects are well done.

Audience Reactions

The mistaken identity scenes are hilarious and keep the energy high throughout the movie.: Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin’s performances are the highlight, making the movie a laugh riot.

The movie is a lighthearted comedy with memorable moments and clever writing.: The chemistry between Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin makes the movie highly enjoyable and entertaining.

Overall Consensus: A fun, lighthearted comedy carried by the exceptional performances of Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin, though some find the plot predictable.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “To help Lily Tomlin portray the Rose Shelton character as air-headed, she would spin around in circles before each scene to make herself dizzy.”
• “Director Jim Abrahams is also known for directing ‘Airplane!’ and ‘The Naked Gun’.”
• “The film utilizes split-screen photography and other visual effects to show Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin interacting with themselves, which was a notable technical achievement for the time.”

🖥️ How to Watch Big Business?

Big Business (1988) is available for streaming or purchase on various platforms. Check Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and other digital retailers to stream or buy the movie. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Big Business, you might like these similar films:

• The Parent Trap (1961): Features twins separated at birth who meet again and try to bring their parents back together, sharing the theme of separated twins.
• Ruthless People (1986): Directed by the same director, Jim Abrahams. Similar farcical comedy style with over-the-top characters.
• Twins (1988): Shares the theme of twins with comedic elements, although with a different premise (unexpected sibling connection).

🛒 Big Business Related Products

• Bette Midler – The Divine Miss M [CD]: The iconic debut album from Bette Midler, featuring timeless hits and showcasing her unmatched vocal talent. This is a must-have for any fan wanting to experience Bette’s musical journey.
• Lily Tomlin: The Mark Twain Prize: A collection of Lily Tomlin’s best comedic moments and insights, showcasing her unique brand of humor and social commentary. Experience Tomlin’s comedic genius and celebrate her contribution to comedy.
• The Plaza: An Intimate Portrait of the Ultimate Hotel: This illustrated book offers an intimate look at the iconic Plaza Hotel, the location for the movie. Discover the history, stories, and secrets of this world-renowned landmark. It has images of what the plaza used to look like. A great addition to learn more about a key element of the movie.
• Poster: Big Business: This collectible poster is a great item to cherish the movie with. It is a way to physically appreciate the movie and place in your office, movie room, living room, etc.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Higher Love” – performed by Steve Winwood

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

🤨 FAQ

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