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Big Business (1988)

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Top Critics

Average Rating: 4.8/10
Reviews Counted: 13
Fresh: 4 | Rotten: 9

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 2
Fresh: 0 | Rotten: 2

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Average Rating: 3/5
User Ratings: 19,421

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Movie Info

Thanks to a mix-up at birth, two sets of twins are separated and grow up in radically different social circles. The four baby girls grow up to be Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin-and Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin. One of the Midlers is a ruthless New York CEO, while one of the Tomlins is her air-headed "save the whales" business partner. Thousands of miles away in a Southern industrial town, a blue-collar Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin work for a company that the white-collar Midler plans to devour in

PG, 1 hr. 38 min.

Comedy

Directed By: Jim Abrahams

In Theaters: Jun 10, 1988 Wide

On DVD: Aug 13, 2002

Cast

Bette Midler
Sadie Shelton/ Sadie Ra...
Lily Tomlin
Rose Shelton
Fred Ward
Roone Dimmick
Edward Herrmann
Graham Sherbourne
Michele Placido
Fabio Alberici
Daniel Gerroll
Chuck
Barry Primus
Michael
Michael Gross
Dr. Jay Marshall
Deborah Rush
Binky Shelton
Nicolas Coster
Hunt Shelton
Patricia Gaul
Iona Ratliff
J.C. Quinn
Garth Ratliff
Norma MacMillan
Nanny Lewis
Joe Grifasi
Desk Clerk
John Vickery
Hotel Manager
John Hancock
Older Harlan
Mary Gross
Judy
Seth Green
Jason
Carmen Argenziano
2nd Board member
Lewis Arquette
Mr. Stokes
Ritch Brinkley
Mayor Bill Finker
Roy Brocksmith
Dr. Parker
Bobby Bruce
Leo Burmeister
Bum
Lois De Banzie
Edwardian Room Hostess
Crystal Field
Bag Lady
Ryan Francis
Merle Ratliff
Chick Hearn
Sports Announcer
Irving Hellman
3rd Stockholder
Tommy Holden
Tom La Grua
Cab Driver
Al Mancini
Waiter
Maureen McVerry
Hilda/Rose Photo Double
Tony Mockus Jr.
1st Board Member
Fred Parnes
Bellboy
Everett Quinton
Window Dresser
Lucy Webb
Wenona
Max Raven
Charlie
Andi Chapman
Sadie's Secretary
Judy Armstrong
YMCA Desk Clerk
Jane Butenoff
Professional Hooker in ...
Matthew James Carlson
Eufus
Dan Chambers
2nd Male Staffer
Troy Damien
Hank Ratliff
Sandy Davis
Saleslady in Dress Shop
Melanie Doctors
Sadie Photo Double
Natalie Dolishny
1st Moramax Employee
Kymberly Goldman
Triplet No. 1
Michelle Goldman
Triplet No. 2
Traci Goldman
Triplet No. 3
Alice Gruenberg
Attractive Woman with Y...
Eddie Junior
Young Harlan
Nancy Lazarus
2nd Moramax Employee
Shirley Mitchell
Stockholder
Louis Rukeyser
Taxi Victim
Nicholas Rutherford
'Lil Levon
Brianne Sommers
Woman with Whippet
Louise Yaffe
Director's Mother in Lo...
Howard Feuer
Andy Epper
Zeke
Hunter von Leer
Petey
Charles Middleton
2nd Stockholder

Critic Reviews for Big Business

All Critics (18) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (4) | Rotten (9)

Underrated farce ... Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin are terrific.

November 9, 2011 Full Review Source: Creative Loafing

| Comment

Matt Brunson

Creative Loafing

Slightly funny Tomlin, Midler comedy.

March 24, 2006 Comment

Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

Fred Ward plays dumb hicks a lot, but never with quite this much comedic energy.

February 27, 2004 Comment

Luke Y. Thompson

New Times

Double the Tomlin & Midler cannot save silly doppelganger gimmickry.

July 26, 2002 Comment

Scott Weinberg

eFilmCritic.com

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Big Business

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This movie is a real must-see, especially if you are a fan of either Bette Midler or Lily Tomlin. Throughout the story you're either smiling, laughing or having a good old giggle, it's an original storyline (how often do we see that!), with subtle themes of strong, wholesome values - not so much so that its offensive

November 6, 2009

Cassandra Maples

Super Reviewer

Absolutely hilarious farce about a set of twins who are mixed up at birth. One set is raised in wealthy NYC, the other on a poor southern farm. Well-written comedy of errors is consistently quick and witty throughout its brief 97 min running time. Lily Tomlin and Bette Midler work surprisingly well together under

October 12, 2008

Mark Hobin

Super Reviewer

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