Big Business

Big Business, directed by Jim Abrahams in 1988, is a mistaken-identity comedy film that utilizes the comedic stylings of Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin to execute a delightfully farcical premise. The film features a convoluted web of confusion caused by a mix-up at birth involving two sets of identical twins born in the same hospital on the same day. Set against the backdrop of 20th-century corporate America, Big Business juxtaposes the worlds of fancy New York high-rises against the mellow, rural wilderness of West Virginia, forming a critical part of the comedic setup.

The film revolves around two sets of twins who were accidently swapped in a rural hospital by a befuddled nurse. The first set of twins comprises of Rose and Sadie Shelton, played by Midler and Tomlin respectively, who grow up in a wealthy household in New York City and become powerful executives in their family's multinational corporation. Conversely, their identical counterparts – Rose and Sadie Ratliff, again played by Midler and Tomlin in adjacent performances – grow up in a small, coal-mining town in West Virginia. The regular life of Sadie and Rose Ratliff takes a sharp turn when they find out they own major shares in the same company the Shelton sisters are planning to sell, causing them to head to New York City.

Both sets of twins, by ill-fated coincidence, end up at the Plaza Hotel in New York City at the same time, which is where the comedy of errors ensues. Lily Tomlin, as the Rose twins, effectively plays two characters significantly different from each other. Both her characters – the flamboyant executive and the more reserved country gal – offer her ample chances to navigate the chaos and contribute to the film's humor. Bette Midler, portraying both Sadie twins, is seen transitioning smoothly between a snobbish businesswoman and the straightforward West Virginian. Midler's character naturally generate epic comedic energy, capitalising on her larger-than-life persona. Though the characters are identical, both Tomlin and Midler inject their own nuances into them, creating four distinctive charismas that aid in setting up the comedy.

The film also stars accomplished actors Fred Ward and Edward Herrmann. Ward portrays the love interest of one of the Tomlin characters, while Herrmann plays the role of a middleman who's stuck juggling between the various shenanigans set off by the twin swaps. His character is frustrated but stuck, adding another layer of hilarity to the plotline.

The brilliance of Big Business lies in its absurdist plot and engaging performances, driving home a strong comedic punch. The juxtaposition of the over-the-top city corporate culture and the laid-back, humble life of the countryside adds layers of humor, each scene building up to amusing misunderstandings. The comedic timing and direction by Jim Abrahams, previously known for collaborations in cult classics like The Naked Gun and Airplane!, is on point and balance out the dramatic bits of the narrative.

Big Business thrives on the confusion and the chaos that stem from mistaken identities. This is enriched by Midler and Tomlin’s distinct performances as their respective characters unceasingly cross paths, resulting in a whirlwind of amusing confusion and chaos. Throughout the film, they bring to life the wide-eyed innocence of the country-dwelling twins and the headstrong, no-nonsense attitude of the city-dwelling ones.

The cinematography of the film complements the storyline, with shots of bustling New York and contrastingly calm West Virginia skillfully portraying the vastly different lives led by the twins. The costume designs succinctly capture the essence of the two diverse backgrounds the characters hail from, adding a visually tangible layer of realism to the film.

Big Business is an entertaining blend of comedy and drama that takes the audience on a wild ride filled with confusion, chaos, laughter, and heartfelt moments. Overall, it’s a light-hearted, fun comedy that capitalizes on the unique talents of its leading ladies, utilizing an absurd premise to craft a story that remains entertaining, fast-paced, and humorous from start to finish.