Big Business is a 1988 American comedy that uses the switched-at-birth conceit to create broad farce and social contrast. Directed by Jim Abrahams, the film centers on two pairs of identical twin girls who are accidentally exchanged at birth in West Virginia and who grow up in very different circumstances—one family remaining rural, the other urban in New York City. The movie was released in June 1988 and became notable for its dual-role performances and fast-paced comic set pieces.
The premise is simple: separated twins unknowingly cross paths as adults, producing a chain of misunderstandings, identity-switches, and revenge plots. The screenplay plays up contrasts of manners, money, and ambition as the pairs of twins — two naïve, small-town sisters and two sharp, city businesswomen — swap places and discover the advantages and frustrations of each other's worlds. Much of the humor comes from situational reversals and the actresses' timing while portraying multiple characters.
Cast and performances
The film is anchored by well-known comic performers. Bette Midler stars as one half of the pair commonly identified as Sadie, while Lily Tomlin plays the role associated with Rose; both actresses take on dual roles, playing the rural and urban versions of their characters. Their chemistry and willingness to embrace broad slapstick and verbal banter were frequently singled out as the movie's chief strengths.
Production and style
As a mainstream studio comedy of the late 1980s, Big Business employs familiar techniques for depicting twins: careful shot composition, split-screen work, and the use of body doubles for physical interaction. The film favors a brisk, crowd-pleasing tone rather than subtle satire, emphasizing comedic set pieces and plot-driven confusion. The setting shift between small-town life and metropolitan commerce is used both for jokes and for a light critique of social values.
Reception and legacy
Upon release the movie received generally lukewarm notices from reviewers—some praised the leads' performances while others found the screenplay uneven and the jokes inconsistent. Contemporary critics gave a mixed response, but audiences responded well enough to make the picture commercially successful, with solid returns at the box office. Over time it has remained a recognizable example of star-driven, high-concept studio comedy from the era, often remembered for the novelty of its twin-switch premise and the pairing of Midler and Tomlin.
Notable facts: the film recycles a time-honored comic setup—mistaken identity among twins—and adapts it to corporate and urban themes; its appeal rests largely on its leads rather than on narrative subtlety. For viewers interested in late-1980s popular comedy or in double-role performances, Big Business offers an accessible, if broad, entertainment experience.