You ever have those days where you feel like you’re living someone else’s life? Well, that’s basically the entire plot of the 1988 classic Big Business, but turned up to eleven. Honestly, if you grew up in the 80s, you probably remember this one as the peak "switcheroo" comedy. But looking back at it now, from the vantage point of 2026, it’s actually kind of wild how well it holds up despite the massive shoulder pads and the lack of smartphones.
Let’s get the basics out of the way first. When people talk about a bette midler lily tomlin movie, they are almost always talking about this specific piece of cinematic chaos directed by Jim Abrahams. It’s a farce in the purest sense. Think Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors, but replace the ancient Greek vibes with high-stakes corporate New York and a tiny, dusty town called Juniper Hollow.
The Setup: Two Sets of Twins, Four Identities, and a Very Confused Nurse
The movie starts in the 1940s with a mix-up that would never happen today because of barcodes and security cameras. Two sets of identical twins are born in a hospital. One set belongs to a filthy rich family passing through town (the Sheltons), and the other belongs to a local rural family (the Ratliffs).
Thanks to a nurse who was probably having a really off day, the babies get swapped. Fast forward forty years. You’ve got Bette Midler playing Sadie Shelton (the ruthless CEO) and Sadie Ratliff (the country girl with big dreams). Then you’ve got Lily Tomlin as Rose Shelton (the soft-hearted city sister) and Rose Ratliff (the tough-as-nails factory worker).
It is a double-dose of talent that most movies today couldn't dream of.
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Why Big Business Actually Works (And What Most People Miss)
A lot of critics back in the day—including Roger Ebert, who was famously lukewarm on it—thought the plot was a bit thin. They argued it was just a bunch of people narrowly missing each other in hotel hallways.
But they kind of missed the point.
The magic isn't in the logistics of the plot. It's in the way Midler and Tomlin differentiate these four women. Sadie Shelton is a "bitch on wheels," as some reviews put it, but she's also incredibly vulnerable in her own weird way. Meanwhile, Sadie Ratliff is just trying to find her place in a world that feels too small for her.
The Seth Green Connection
Did you know Seth Green is in this? He plays Midler’s son, Jason. He’s tiny. He has red hair. He’s basically exactly who you think he would be as a kid. It’s one of those "wait, is that...?" moments that makes rewatching these 80s staples so much fun.
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The Costume Subtle Genius
If you look closely at the wardrobe—designed by the legendary Rita Ryack—there are these tiny "twin" echoes. When New York Sadie is wearing a specific cut of jacket, her country counterpart is often wearing the same silhouette but in a cheaper fabric like plaid. It’s a visual nod to the nature vs. nurture theme that the movie treats like a playground.
The Plaza Hotel Chaos
The bulk of the movie takes place at the Plaza Hotel in New York. This is where the bette midler lily tomlin movie turns into a high-speed chase. The Sheltons are there to sell off the Juniper Hollow factory, which would effectively destroy the town. The Ratliffs are there to stop them.
Cue the "near-miss" sequences.
- The "bathroom mirror" scene: This is arguably the most famous part of the film. Midler and Midler meet in a bathroom and think they are looking at a mirror, only to realize... they aren't.
- The "elevator lobby" statue: There’s a gag where a statue in the hotel lobby looks like it's shielding its eyes from Sadie Shelton’s abrasive personality.
- The "changing dog" lady: There is a background character who appears throughout the hotel scenes. Her dress color matches the color of the dog she is walking. White dress, white dog. Brown dress, brown dog. It's the kind of detail you only notice on the third or fourth watch.
What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
It wasn't always supposed to be Bette and Lily. Originally, the script was written with Barbra Streisand and Goldie Hawn in mind. Can you imagine that? It would have been a totally different vibe. Streisand is great, but she doesn't have that specific "Divine Miss M" energy that makes the ruthless Sadie Shelton so much fun to hate-watch.
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Lily Tomlin also had a specific trick for playing the "air-headed" Rose Shelton. To get that dazed, airy look, she would actually spin around in circles right before the cameras started rolling. She wanted to feel physically dizzy so her performance felt more authentic. That is some serious dedication to a comedy about mismatched twins.
Is It Still Worth a Watch?
Honestly? Yes.
While some of the "mugging" (actors making over-the-top faces) feels a bit dated, the chemistry between the leads is undeniable. It was produced by Touchstone Pictures, which was Disney’s "grown-up" label in the 80s. They were on a roll back then with movies like Ruthless People and Outrageous Fortune.
If you’re looking for a double feature, pair this with Twins (1988) or maybe Midler’s Ruthless People. It captures a very specific moment in American comedy where everything was loud, colorful, and a little bit ridiculous.
Key Takeaways for Your Next Movie Night:
- Watch the background: Look for the "dog lady" and the subtle wardrobe matches.
- Appreciate the tech: Realize how much harder it was to film "twin" scenes back then compared to the CGI we have now. They had to use split screens and body doubles like crazy.
- Check the supporting cast: Keep an eye out for Fred Ward (as Roone) and Michael Gross (from Family Ties).
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newcomer searching for that classic bette midler lily tomlin movie, Big Business is the gold standard for 80s farce. It’s not deep, it’s not particularly "important," but it is genuinely funny. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.
To dive deeper into this era of comedy, you might want to look into the filmography of director Jim Abrahams, who was one-third of the legendary Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker team behind Airplane!. You'll start to see the same DNA of visual gags and rapid-fire timing that makes this movie move so fast.