Twins (released in theaters on December 9, 1988), directed by Ivan Reitman, is a hilarious and surprisingly heartwarming buddy comedy built on a single, audacious premise: two men who couldn’t be more physically or personality-wise different are, in fact, fraternal twin brothers. Starring the massively mismatched Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito, the film is a clever blend of fish-out-of-water comedy and a genuinely emotional search for family.
The film is founded on a secret, 1950s genetics experiment designed to create the “perfect” human by combining the genetic material of six exceptional fathers.
To the scientists’ surprise, two embryos were formed: Julius Benedict (Schwarzenegger), who inherited the best traits and developed into a physically magnificent, intellectually brilliant, and profoundly naive giant; and Vincent Benedict (DeVito), who received the “leftover crap” and developed into a diminutive, streetwise, and ethically questionable small-time crook.
Separated at birth, Julius was raised on a remote South Pacific island by one of the scientists, Professor Werner, shielded from the vices of modern society. Vincent was placed in an orphanage and grew up into a womanizing, debt-ridden hustler in Los Angeles.
On his 35th birthday, Julius is informed of his twin’s existence and, believing they are fundamentally the same, travels to L.A. to find him. He eventually tracks Vincent down to a jail cell.
Vincent is initially incredulous and attempts to exploit the kind-hearted, naive Julius.
However, after Julius effortlessly defends Vincent from loan sharks, Vincent begins to warm up to his brother.
The twins, along with Vincent’s fiery girlfriend Linda (Chloe Webb) and her more refined sister Marnie (Kelly Preston), embark on a road trip to track down their biological mother, whom they were both told died in childbirth.
The journey is complicated by Vincent’s stolen Cadillac, which contains a secret, high-tech engine prototype, putting them in the crosshairs of a dangerous hitman (Marshall Bell).
Along the way, Julius teaches Vincent about morality and self-respect, while Vincent teaches Julius about the real world, culminating in an emotional reunion with their mother.
Trey Wilson, Bonnie Bartlett, David Caruso, Maury Chaykin, Hugh O’Brian, and Heather Graham round out the supporting cast.
Kelly Preston and Arnold Schwarzenegger in Twins (Photo/Universal Pictures)
Reception for Twins
Twins grossed $11.2 million on its opening weekend, finishing No. 1 at the box office, topping The Naked Gun ($6.1 million), Scrooged ($4.7 million) and Tequila Sunrise ($4 million).
The film would remain No. 1 for its first four weeks and in the the top 10 for its first 11 weeks en route to grossing $216.6 million worldwide.
Roger Ebert gave Twins three out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
Twins is a hugely significant film because it marked Schwarzenegger’s successful transition into comedy. Prior to this, he was exclusively known as an action star. By playing the sweet, innocent, and supremely intellectual Julius, Schwarzenegger proved his considerable comedic charm and broadened his career path.
The film’s legacy is primarily built on the electrifying and enduring chemistry between Schwarzenegger and DeVito.
Their physical contrast is the film’s one-joke premise, but their shared scenes—full of synchronized actions and DeVito’s exasperated delivery of lines—provide the warmth and heart that made the film a massive commercial success.
By taking a massive cut of the film’s gross instead of an upfront salary, the stars and director Reitman earned enormous paychecks, securing the film’s reputation as a business and comedic success that proved a high-concept premise, driven by likeable stars, could triumph over critical reservations.
