It Takes Two features a dream sequence set in protagonist George Newbern’s stomach. It looks cheaper than an antacid commercial.
The movie’s filled with fake Southern accents–Newbern loses the accent after about fifteen minutes, right before he gets to the big city (Dallas) where he needs to buy an imitation Lamborghini from some seedy city folks.
It Takes Two doesn’t like big city folks, Mexicans or blacks much, but big city folks and Mexicans are worst.
I’d been curious about the film because of Newbern, who appeared in this one at the start of his film career. It apparently stalled it.
The second unit shots of Dallas are fantastic, Beaird’s not a bad director and the film has an amazing score from Carter Burwell, so it’s occasionally watchable. Newbern’s playing a rube and he’s not terrible besides the accent. Leslie Hope is his Machiavellian fiancée. If she’s supposed to be shrilly evil, she does a good job (except her accent). Kimberly Foster is a lot better as the other woman, but she’s got an actual character. Or at least the semblance of one.
Some decent supporting performances from Barry Corbin, Anthony Geary, Patrika Darbo and Frances Lee McCain. Bill Boleander looks like he’s reading from the script on set. Marco Perella is pretty awful too.
Peter Deming’s fantastic cinematography gives the film a far more reputable feel than it deserves.
It’s all okay though, because the ungodly Foster gets hers comeuppance.
Heinous is a good adjective for the movie.
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CREDITS
Directed by David Beaird; written by Richard Christian Matheson and Thomas E. Szollosi; director of photography, Peter Deming; edited by David Garfield; music by Carter Burwell; production designer, Richard Hoover; produced by Robert Lawrence; released by United Artists.
Starring George Newbern (Travis Rogers), Leslie Hope (Stephanie Lawrence), Kimberly Foster (Jonni Tigersmith), Barry Corbin (George Lawrence), Anthony Geary (Wheel), Frances Lee McCain (Joyce Rogers), Patrika Darbo (Dee Dee), Marco Perella (Dave) and Bill Bolender (Judd Rogers).
