I immediately thought of a certain Christopher Nolan film for this but it would be a very big spoiler for anyone who hasn't seen the film. As I think it was a very good film, I chose not to spoli it and go with something that everyone knows. There seem to be a few recent and upcoming films that feature or centre around twins. I'd like to point out it was a good year for twins films in 1998, both 1+ 2 were released then. Don't forget to check out what
Wandering Through the Shelves picked, the blog that started Thursday Movie Picks.
1. The Man in the Iron Mask
A late 90's costume conspiracy drama, inspired by literature, featuring a very impressive cast. The three musketeers from the classic novel, after years of doing their own thing are reuinited once more when France is being ruled by a spoilt reckless brat. The rumour that the king actually has a twin brother who he imprisoned after he came to thrown is spread. The musketeers plot to swap the brothers so that France will have a just and fair king. It features a young Leonardo DiCaprio at King Louis XIV and some more seasoned actors as the Musketeers. Great fun.
2. The Parent Trap
This is
the classic twin film. Of course there was the first film in 1961 with Hayley Mills playing the twins with a bad accent and equally terrible haircuts. But I'm talking about the film that made Lindsay Lohan famous. For a while (because I had never heard of her) I thought they were twins. Long lost twins sisters find each by chance at a summer camp and decide to reunite they're parents by swapping places. It's ridiculous but so much fun, I wore my VHS out watching this film. Now don't tell me you never tried to recreate
the handshake?
3. The Pretty One
A more recent less seen pick with a very sad and tragic story. Both twins played by Zoe Kazan, Audrey, pretty, independant, lives far away, then theres Laurel, she stays at home, paints odd paintings, never really had an experiences. After Audrey comes home to visit her sister for their birthday, they end up in a car accident killing Audrey. But after mis-identifying Laurel, they think shes Audrey. Obviously in shock, confused and all round devastated, she realises the families mistake on the day of the funeral but after hearing upsetting comments about her, she leaves, pretending to be her dead sister. She goes out to experience things she never got to while trying to come to terms with her great loss. It's brilliantly made film dispite the tragedy always lurking.
I agree that the remake of The Parent Trap is better. I liked The Man in the Iron Mask, but it's been so long since I've seen it, I don't remember much. Haven't heard of The Pretty One before today and it's already getting a lot of love. Great work!
ReplyDeleteThe second one featuring The Man in the Iron Mask as I recall. I think this title will be popular this week. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteThis was a tough week for me. I found the pickings to be quite slim but you seemed to do a really good job with it. I actually haven't seen any of these movies but I can already tell there's a lot of variety in these three choices.
ReplyDeleteI know the top film you don't want to spoil and completely forgot that Christopher Nolan directed that! It is definitely a great one though. The Pretty One sounds very intriguing!
ReplyDeleteSame here about MITIM, I really want to see it again to refresh, I picked it on memory of it. The Pretty One is a great film, so sad but beautifully acted by Kazan. I noticed it has been picked by others which is great!
ReplyDeleteI agree :) But its got a great pair of twins featured.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, there aren't that many out there, discounting horrors of course, twins always seem to turn up in those. I thought 'Twins' would be a strong contender this week hahaha
ReplyDeleteYou can see why I didn't want to spoil it though, just in case others hadn't seen it. It was actually the film I thought of first as soon as I saw the pick theme. I might pick it for another list - its such an awesome film.
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen The Pretty One but I like your other two picks. I prefer the Hayley Mills version of Parent Trap and this is a fine take on that old chestnut Man in the Iron Mask even if Leo at this point was still rather callow and his voice lacked authority but it would be hard to beat that supporting cast. I did much prefer Joan Bennett in the '39 version to Judith Godreche in this.
ReplyDeleteThe Man in the Iron Mask once again! Great flick! Haven't seen the others. Well, I've seen the original Parent Trap with Haley Mills.
ReplyDeleteTotally forgot about The Parent Trap, enjoyed it when I saw that as a kid.
ReplyDeleteClassic kids films :) Made me kinda glad that we don't have 'camp' here in the UK though, those pranks wer quite bad.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely see the newer Parent Trap, much better :)
ReplyDeleteI like to think Leo was just sort of finding his feet, which is why he was made to look better with the more established actors around him as the Musketeers.
ReplyDelete