Twin Falls Idaho (1999) User Reviews

Not until recently, on route to Yellowstone, did I realize there is Twin Falls, Idaho

[ruby_fff · 7/10 · 16 October 2000]

A story about a grown-up pair of Siamese twin brothers - one does wonder. "Twin Falls Idaho" is a quiet yet possibly disturbing film (only if one is uncomfortable with the idea of looking at a pair of conjoined twins' physical features, which was actually only subtly featured). It is thought provoking and calmly sentimental. Well-written, acted, and just the right dosage, I felt.

It's a tender story about brotherly love, man and woman young love, sons and motherly love - full of humanity. The natural delivery of everyone in the movie, including Penny's friend, the doctor who gave a routine check up on the twins - there's a casualness and ease to his brief performance. Michele Hicks somehow fits perfectly into the role of Penny - there's just the enough measure of beauty and heart demonstrated by her acting. There's also her low voice, the way she talks; her lean figure, the way she walks. Along with the ever fascinating to watch Leslie Ann Warren, 'tis blessed casting. The Polish brothers are themselves remarkable. How they delivered such poignant sensitivity about a pair of attached Siamese twins, when they themselves were not, is amazing. Michael Polish directed this script that he wrote with brother Mark.

It's not Hollywood, not action movie. It is independent film flavor. It has no glamour - it does have some artistic camera angles and a dreamlike flashback sequence. But it is an intriguing film to experience, at its own pace, without rushing anything. The tone and mood, and the dim photography might suggest otherwise, but there is suspense and a secret to unfold. It all comes together naturally, with its slow dance. Its ending? Go see for yourself - it's an experience that would worth your while.

Applause to the Polish Brothers and everyone involved in the production of this film.

'Straighter' than I thought it would be (spoiler in last paragraph)

[the red duchess · 6/10 · 15 November 2000]

The Brothers Polish do not try to obviously overturn accepted notions of 'weirdness' that might attend any representation of their subject matter (Siamese twins). The film opens with images of duality linked with strangeness - two girls in a cab part; a man with an iron claw gives them change, two ripped pieces of dollar sellotaped together. So already the notion of being two is linked to rupture, disrepair, disfigurement.

One of the women, Penny, a prostitute dressed and eye-lined like a teenage Goth, walks through a strange hotel that seems to exist in a suffocatingly smoky time-warp. She enters a lift guarded by a weird old codger who comes out with some incongruous comments and a barmy sense of direction. The corridor smells of stale urine. Later we discover that neighbours include a 'jive'-talking marriage counsellor-cum-evangelist called Jesus (registration no: HEY ZEUS).

The corridor is wallpapered an off-green, complementing the sickly olive beaming in the boy's bedroom. The score, on the whole the kind of thing you'd hear in any 'quality' Hollywood picture, is sustained just a little too long, and becomes a little Badalamenti-like, confirming the overall David Lynch feel which is strengthened by a later sequence in a freakshow, and a general similarity of plot and melancholy to 'The Elephant Man'; although the feeling here is more the similarly titled 'Twin Peaks'. How can the heroes seem other than weird?

A lot of people have been claiming this as one of the year's best movies. I just mustn't have got it. Of course, I sympathised with the brothers, the sexual frustration, the identity crises, the fundamental feelings of abandonment, yet also the privileged, whispered, shared private life, the idea of coming to a dive hotel to die. The development of the relationship between Penny and Blake is very sympathetic, although the character of Penny is so richly and engagingly realised, she risks making the twins seem one-dimensional (no pun intended). The cod-Freudianisms of having her psychologically compensate for an abandoned, retarded child by mothering/loving two disabled 'boys' is a little pat, as is the disjunction between her moral growth as a person, and their physical decline.

There is much that is beautiful here - the world flooded with the boys' necessarily off-centre worldview; the whole Halloween sequence; the dream sequence with the bicycles (linking Siamese twins with silent cinema for the second time this year (the other is 'Of Freaks and Men') - what's going on here?).

It's just that everything happens as you'd expect, as predictable as you'd guess a Hollywood movie about Siamese twins would be - right down to the moment when the errant mum returns to squeeze her dying son's hand, or the circus past. And maybe that's the rub, not just that Hollywood would never make a film about Siamese Twins, but that a Hollywood-like film about Siamese twins, like the score, is a little off-kilter; that Siamese twins, as much as brawny action heroes, muddled bimbos and precocious teenagers deserve the Hollywood treatment as much as anyone? I guess?

Great potential but horribly contrived

[Maneal · 6/10 · 11 February 2000]

I was very excited upon hearing about this film. It sounded like a very original idea, but unfortunately lacked. The ending of the film was shockingly bad, so "hollywood" in style that it seemed like someone entirely different had written it. Michele Hicks as Penny was downright awful, my suggestion to her-stick to modeling. Her character wasn't the least bit believable and I had absolutely no sympathy. However, the film does have its good points, the cinematography at the beginning, the scene where the brothers play the country song. Certainly worth watching, perhaps your opinion will differ.

A lovely film.

[jimbofletch · 19 October 2003]

I'd never heard of this until a few weeks back. I saw it last week on video. What a lovely film. It treats its subject matter with real sensitivity. The performances are believable, especially by the two Polish brothers (who made the film as well)as Siamese twins who have shacked up in a hotel for reasons initially unknown, while Michele Hicks is really sweet as the only person who will befriend them. The mood and pace is slow and beautifully graceful. A nice change from shallow, dumb blockbusters, Twin Falls Idaho is a very touching, tender film.

Very unique look

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 15 April 2014]

Penny (Michele Hicks) is a prostitute hired for Francis Falls (Michael Polish). When she gets there, she finds Francis and Blake Falls (Mark Polish) are actually conjoined twins living in a rundown hotel. She runs away at first but she has to go back to retrieve her purse. Blake is the stronger one while Francis' health declines. On Halloween, the brothers go out to see their mother (Lesley Ann Warren). Penny runs into them at a diner and she takes them out to a party.

The Polish brothers have created an unique looking film. First there are the Siamese brothers. They are absolutely original and very compelling. The brother filmmakers use the haunted model looks of Michele Hicks to the fullest. She started late with her acting career after modeling but she shows some skills. There is a lot of whisper acting, and slow pacing. This has a memorable look and a strange tone. And it is their humanity that shows through.

see it for yourself

[loix · 9/10 · 21 May 2000]

I have to say this because I almost made the fatal mistake of classifying this movie with the sentimental, depressing, and whiny ones, based on the little I'd heard about it. Call me prejudiced, which I am (and thank goodness, this wonderful film cured me of some of those symptoms), but at first, the idea of watching a movie about a girl and a pair of Siamese twins was not that appealing. It took some recommendation from friends whose opinions I value highly to overcome those inhibitions and to decide to brave whatever disappointment might come out of this venture. I now thank those friends for the good and true word.

The beautiful Penny (Michele Hicks) tells her friend that somehow the Falls twins were not ugly, and I couldn't agree more with her: the Falls brothers, with their neat dress and meek manners, are simply adorable. The strong bond uniting them is another attraction (anyone on especially close terms with their sibling(s) would understand this). I found it shocking that Penny's lawyer should think it rude that the twins should whisper constantly to each other; for me, it showed an intimacy that couldn't be imitated by anyone else, and beyond the reach of any convention.

The Polish brothers have done an inimitable job; some of the details would never have occurred to one who has grown up on her/his own. And it was nice to see quite distinct personalities developed for each of the Falls twins that went beyond their talents/interests.

Focusing on this kind of specific peculiarity might be what gives this story such an expressive power, to make us think about the various kinds of being "different" or relationship in general. On this other hand, it is a shame that the subtler overtones of the story can easily get buried because of this very focus, and scare some "fun"-loving people away.

I later read an interview about the movie and the creators' account of some of the imagery and the design of the movie, but such explicit detailing has taken away some of the charm I had felt for what I had believed were natural/innocent things, rather than improve my opinion of the movie. So take this advice (although it might already be too late if you're reading this) and go see it for yourself, before exposing yourself to anything that could disenchant you! I promise that you won't be disappointed.

Brother, what can you do for me now?

[michaelRokeefe · 7/10 · 16 July 2008]

Haunting, taut and dark is this story of conjoined twins played by real life identical twins Michael and Mark Polish. Michael directs and shares writing credit with Mark. These shy conjoined twins temporarily are living in a run down hotel as they summon the courage to reunite with their estranged mother(Lesley Ann Warren). A homeless hooker named Penny(Michele Hick)finds herself befriending the Falls brothers. They wander outside the apartment to attend a Halloween party with Penny pretending to be wearing a "Siamese Twin" costume. Blake(Mark Polish)tends to his sick brother Francis(Michael Polish)and tries to interpret his mixed feelings toward the thought of losing his sibling. Then to complicate matters more is the relationship developing between himself and Penny. Albeit a strange story, it is well acted. Others in the cast: Patrick Bauchau, Garrett Morris, William Katt and Teresa Hill.

Five Stars out of Five--A Wonderful, Beautiful Film!

[Twillhead · 10/10 · 19 September 1999]

"Twin Falls Idaho" is a dream-haunter of a film! Lovingly and meticulously directed by Michael Polish and written with quiet brilliance by Mark Polish (with help from twin brother Michael), this gentle, soft-spoken film is one of the three best films of 1999. The imagery in the film is often gritty and stark, pointing out subtext to the audience without utilizing masks or shadows. It's a wonderful story about the nature of relationships; about love and marriage and "divorce"; and about the lives of those unfortunates society labels as "different", and the realization that they are not so different as society may have initially supposed. The acting is superb; the Polish brothers are completely believable as the conjoined twins Blake and Francis Falls, performing feats like deftly buttoning up each other's shirts or playing the guitar together (Blake strums while Francis manages the fret for chord changes) as if they had, indeed, done it all their lives. As the film rolled on, I found myself loving these two guys as unique and colorful individuals, and empathizing with their plight. And the often-used "Hooker with a Heart" character Penny is given new light and life by Mark Polish's careful crafting of the character and by Michelle Hicks edgy yet warm performance. If you're like me, "Twin Falls Idaho" will leave you awake nights, thinking long and long. I look forward to seeing what the Polish brothers will do next, either collaboratively or on their own.

Western Version of Chang and Eng

[Matt73 · 7/10 · 1 February 2001]

If you know Chang & Eng, the most famous Siamese twins, then this movie is the western version of their story. But of course the plot is totally different from their real life.

It presents to the audience a different point of view on Siamese twins. It shows how they really feel deep inside, by using dark and gloomy shots that sometimes a bit disturbing.

Their acting was good and the special effect was perfectly done. Teresa Hill's acting was brilliant and her make-up was great, showing both sides of her seamlessly.

The cinematography was great on some scenes, especially the one showing Teresa Hill sitting on the couch watching the twins.

This movie is not a blockbuster movie, but more for people who can appreciate other people's life story. I can say that it's not everyone's movie, but it will open up your mind to another dimension of life.

the best film I've seen this year

[T-10 · 10/10 · 24 October 1999]

I drove sixty five miles one way to see this film and it

would have bargain at twice the distance. This film is

superbly written and acted and I see no flaws. The premise which is cojoined twins played by the Polish brothers, identical twins, is original and delivered with a poignancy that is rare. I spoke to a couple of people after the film who said they thought they would be uncomfortable with the subject and were for a couple of

minutes but then became totally involved and forgot. I

will not go into the storyline as this is a film you should enjoy as it unfolds, but I caution you to pay attention as there is alot to be appreciated in watching

the intimacy between these brothers as well as the dialogue, sometimes almost inaudible between the brothers. The film also offers analogies, puns, metaphors, and an interesting array of supporting characters. There is also alot of "hidden" humor so watch carefully. Although there is alot of sadness in the film, the overall feeling after was uplifting. This film was on my mind for days and I think it was the first thing I brought up in conversations. This is a MUST SEE for anyone that enjoys film that are not standard fare. I am

looking forward to adding it to my video collection. FOUR

STARS!!!!

Good acting, interesting dialogues, but the story's too simple

[elduderino78 · 6/10 · 29 August 2004]

Twin falls is a decent movie altogether. Mike and Mark polish are excellent in the role of the siamese twins, they portray their anguish, their fear of the world, and their love and dependence on each other perfectly. Your really feel sort of intrigued and mystified when you look and listen to these two characters.

Penny is the character that simultaneously keeps them on their feet and breaks them apart. Had to be a woman... Also great acting from the beautiful Michelle Hicks.

The movie poses some interesting questions about relationships, and about depending from one another to the very core.

But it's far from perfect, because, there's really nor much of a story. The story's just a skeleton where the writer and director hang all the dialogue and all their philosophical rethoric. Basically, more things could and should have happened - they would've helped flesh out the characters better than a lot of dialogues... And it wouldn't have made such a slow paced movie... Liked it, but not really my idea of a great movie.

Breathtaking!

[yossarian100 · 10/10 · 6 February 2004]

I kept holding my breath while watching this movie. Not like being underwater or anything like that but more like kissing the love of your life or holding your own child in your arms for the first time. Like that. I had to remind myself to breathe. Twin Falls is one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen. Finely crafted to the extreme, delicately directed, with performances that absolutely broke my heart. The Polish brothers have created something truly remarkable here, and Michele Hicks, in her first film performance, is amazingly stunning and talented. Twin Falls is definitely a work of art!

So strange and so sad... but so powerful

[Dockelektro · 7/10 · 15 February 2003]

The premise is too good not to be told in a movie - a couple of siamese twins, who are society outcasts, bump into a girl which falls in love with one of the twins. Just read like this, it could be a comedy, but here the drama takes over. Heavy-written, and heavy in tone, this is no walk on the park. The Polish brothers achieve the illusion of making us believe that they are real siamese twins, and the real triumph of this movie is making us feel the crisis they experience. But it is a strange movie, probably they made it on purpose, and one of its assets is not having a known face (making the story so much believable). Don't expect to come out with a smile after this one, even though it is an interesting experience.

a laugh a minute

[only30secondstomars · 3/10 · 10 May 2005]

I was surprised to find out everyone who's seen this movie thought it was amazing. Because the dialog was BEYOND bad, not to mention the acting sub par.

First, NO conjoined twins have ever looked that good in real life. Second, the dialog was blatantly bad, including one of my favorite lines at a Halloween party, "This is the only day of the year they're normal."

Everything that could stereotypical in your mind go for a couple of conjoined twins, goes wrong in the span of this movie. People taking pictures while they sit in the park, them being approached and the attempt made to make them into freak show superstars.

And at the end, when he was living with the other freaks in the like run down abandoned circus? Come on. There's a STRAY ELEPHANT. I couldn't even tell my friend that ending without laughing.

Not to mention the editing was awful and jumpy from shot to shot. A lot of time scenes lacked cohesiveness.

An ok story of conjoined twins that could use a better pace

[annonymo · 6/10 · 10 April 1999]

A middling story of conjoined twins as they search for their mother, one falls in love, and struggle to survive. There are a few predictable attempts at "meaning" but nothing too deep here. A very good performance by Michelle Hicks as the female lead lights up the screen, but for the most part no real surprises.

One of the Best Films I have seen in quite a long time.

[dcape41564 · 10/10 · 25 October 2004]

"Twin Falls, Idaho" is a very well made film with unusual depth and complex emotional content. It is absolutely a must see for anyone wanting more than your usual Hollywood fodder and fluff. A different sort of Love Story and a gritty look at a uniquely off-center topic.

The Characters are often somewhat surreal, but not to the point of being ridiculous or unbelievable, this said same surrealism serves to make the imagery and story all the more powerful. The Hopeful and "Best of Humanity" themes and messages underlying the main story are clear to anyone that watches this fine piece of work.

Casting and Cinematography are exceptional. And the stand out performance without a doubt goes to the lovely Michele Hicks as Penny as well as fine performances by Mark and Michael Polish as the Twins. One of the Best Films I have seen in quite a long time.

Well done low budget film that takes on an

[mfb-88130 · 7/10 · 1 November 2022]

Odd subject, Siamese twins, in a straight forward manner. Filmed in a very quiet, low key manner but keeps your interest throughout.

One thing that completely baffles me is how many other reviewers bring up director David Lynch or compare it to one of his films. The movie is NOTHING like a Lynch film. Aside from the Siamese twin there is nothing Lynchian here at all in any way. (And was there ever a Siamese twin in a Lynch film? Seems like there should be but I can't remember one.) It makes me think they either didn't watch the film or didn't pay attention. If I was going to compare it to any other director it would probably be Alan Rudolph. The movie definitely makes me want to seek out director Michael Polish's other films.

Remarkable

[astrospn · 10/10 · 20 February 2000]

This film is still haunting me, even long after watching it for the first time. It depicts a rare insight into the exclusivity of sibling relationships and utilises a neutral tone that ironically intensifies every second of the story. Although the movie skims slightly upon cliches, that only helps to familiarise the audience with the plot so that they don't feel too alienated by the mystery of the twins. This most certainly is a treasured oddity in the video store.

One of the most moving films I've ever seen

[lightbearer13 · 10/10 · 28 February 2007]

Perhaps only twins like the Polish brothers could have made the quintessential work of art about conjoined twins--one that shows the uniqueness and depth of this bond, while universally hinting at how deeply love is rooted in our very flesh. Often the attempts to delve into these relationships (of conjoined or even identical twins) has been produced by non-twins and has assumed some kind of pathology--something either incestuous, or morbidly dependent. One thinks immediately of Cronenberg's Dead Ringers. What the Polish brothers have given us is nothing short of miraculous, utterly human and as poignant as anything I have ever experienced.

Falling for the twins

[Rogue-32 · 8/10 · 30 October 2004]

Saw the film last night on cable and decided to wait until today, October 30th, to post a review, because it happens to be Mark and Michael's birthday. Hope they've been having a decent one, as they deserve.

I've been into the Polish twins since I saw Jackpot and Northfork a couple of years ago, and I'd been waiting to see this film since it was released. I was not disappointed. The subject matter is more than tricky, and it's handled with a truly impressive balance of seriousness and humor; the humor does not come at the expense of the story but rather is intrinsic to Francis' and Blake's lives, as they are seen dealing with their reality of being conjoined from birth. The catalyst of the story, the hooker played by Michele Hicks (who was also with them in Northfork) proves to be the perfect foil for the twins. One of the best scenes is the one where she takes them to a Halloween costume party - the one night of the year, she says, where they can "be normal."

By the end of the movie, the seriousness of the situation comes to the fore, and it's handled beautifully, eloquently and with exactly the proper amount of emotion and just the right touch of Scorpionic restraint, so it never becomes maudlin. Not quite a perfect film - it could have been a little shorter, but a brilliant, original, daring and deeply felt project nonetheless.

IMDb rating - 8 (equivalent to a low ***1/2)

Nice idea, very poor execution.

[konky2000 · 1/10 · 10 May 2003]

This film features some of the most mind-numbingly obvious symbollism I have ever seen a film. I just 'loved' how the director made sure to linger forever on a piece of symbollic imagery just to make sure we 'got it'. Then just in case, they would show us the same imagery a few minutes later.

The actress who played the hooker was simply awful and seemed unable to display any range of emotion. The Polish brothers who played the twins seem to think that the more they sleepwalk through their role the more 'artistic' the film will seem.

Overall, I felt that this film was a poseur attempt at making a piece of deep and meaningful art cinema. At the end of it, I was extremely sorry I had spent the whole time watching it.

One of the 5 best movies I've ever seen

[Greg-232 · 20 February 2002]

I caught the beginning of Twin Falls, Idaho one evening while flipping past the Independent Film Channel. I was immediately hooked by the story. The acting was absolutely riveting, and while the plot may have been slow to develop, and even a bit predictable, there was an intangible quality about it that kept my eyes glued to the screen.

Michele Hicks is brilliant in a difficult role. My heart nearly broke when she was shunned by the Falls brothers. Lesley Ann Warren was excellent as the cliche mother. But the real kudos belong to the Polish brothers, who were responsible for the writing, acting, and directing. I was convinced that the story they told was real when I first saw them. The bond they display on screen is definitely not contrived. I was completely blown away by the tenderness and understanding they shared.

All in all, one of the 5 best movies I have ever seen. It is rare for me to be so completely gripped by a movie as I was when I saw this one. And yet, I just couldn't tear myself away. 10/10

Well, what did you expect?

[fierypoeticgirl · 9/10 · 8 November 2007]

I'm not sure why people were so venomous about the acting and the storyline of this movie. I thought, given the situation of "Blake and Francis," that if this were a real set of Siamese twins, there would not be a lot to feel giddy about. I liked it. I thought it was original and really makes one stop and evaluate his/her own life. We are darn lucky to be whole and healthy. We'd have no idea what it'd be like to be joined together having to try and live a normal life. My congratulations to the Polish brothers. Outstanding work, boys. If either actor had shown a variety of emotions, it would have been totally unrealistic. I know I'd not be happy if I had to drag someone around knowing she'd die before I. The critics of this film need to stop and think before they make cruel comments. I lost my sister, and she was not a my Siamese twin, but she was my best friend, and since her death, I've been gloomy. But like Francis said, "Every story has a happy ending...it's just been untold." That's my life right now. Good movie, Michael and Mark.

Fascinating Exploration Of A Sensitive Subject

[sddavis63 · 8/10 · 5 June 2001]

An unusual and fascinating tale about the lives of conjoined twins Frances and Blake Falls. Both know that Frances is sick and near death, and they have resolved to die together. But an unexpected romance intervenes, as Blake falls in love with Penny, a prostitute who, after her initial revulsion, befriends them both and helps them experience a bit of what life has to offer. This movie is a classic example of people desperately in need of love who enter each other's lives.

I found myself totally wrapped up in this story. It is completely unique - like nothing I have ever seen before. It features strong performances from Michael and Mark Polish as the Falls brothers (Michael also directed, and the brothers together wrote the screenplay) and a marvellous performance by Michele Hicks, in her first major role, as Penny. Hicks exudes compassion and anyone who watches this movie will be completely taken with her. The complexity of the relationship between conjoined twins is sensitively explored, particularly as Frances becomes jealous as he watches Blake's romance with Penny grow.

(SPOILERS AHEAD)

I was somewhat put off by what I thought was a weak ending to what had been a superb movie. Setting aside the question of whether it is physically possible to separate conjoined twins in adulthood (I'm not a doctor) I did nevertheless find myself wondering about the psychological impact, and the movie doesn't really address that issue in any detail. It simply happens, and a few minutes later the movie ends. Oh, there's some sensitive sharing between Blake and Penny, but it left me flat. In fact, the entire last 15 minutes or so seemed strangely disconnected from the rest of the movie and I found myself asking, "How did we get here from there?"

Still, this is a very good movie that rates an 8/10.