Ah, the mid-90s. A time when twin power reigned supreme on television and, increasingly, the silver screen. If you were anywhere near a VCR back then, chances are you encountered the megawatt smiles of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. While their direct-to-video empire was already booming, 1995's It Takes Two represented a charming leap onto the big screen, a warm-hearted family flick that felt instantly familiar yet utterly winning, like finding a forgotten favorite sweatshirt in the back of the closet. This wasn't high art, perhaps, but it was, and remains, pure comfort cinema – the kind perfectly suited for a rainy afternoon rental.
### Double Trouble, Double Fun
Let's be honest, the premise borrows heavily from Erich Kästner's Lottie and Lisa, the same source material that gave us Disney's beloved The Parent Trap (both the 1961 original and the 1998 remake). It Takes Two doesn't exactly reinvent the wheel, presenting us with two identical girls unaware of each other's existence: Amanda Lemmon (Mary-Kate Olsen), a street-smart orphan under the care of the warm Diane Barrows (Kirstie Alley), and Alyssa Callaway (Ashley Olsen), a refined heiress living a lonely life with her wealthy, well-meaning father Roger (Steve Guttenberg). When the girls accidentally meet at summer camp – Alyssa attending Camp Callaway, built on her family's land, and Amanda sneaking in for some fun – they hatch the inevitable plan: switch places to stop Roger from marrying the wrong woman, the gold-digging Clarice Kensington (Jane Sibbett), and maybe, just maybe, get Roger and Diane together instead.
What elevates this beyond mere imitation is the sheer charisma of its cast and the light, breezy direction from Andy Tennant (who would later give us more sophisticated fairytale vibes with Ever After). The script by Deborah Dean Davis knows exactly what it wants to be – a feel-good, slightly goofy romp – and leans into it with gusto. There are no dark shadows here, just sunshine, misunderstandings, and the kind of light slapstick that culminates in that iconic messy food fight scene. Remember that? Ketchup and spaghetti flying everywhere – pure wish fulfillment for any kid watching.
### Stars Aligning (and Throwing Food)
The Olsen twins, already seasoned pros despite their youth, are genuinely delightful. They manage to imbue Amanda and Alyssa with distinct personalities – Amanda the scrappy tomboy, Alyssa the proper little lady – making their switcheroo antics all the more entertaining. You believed their instant bond and their shared mission. This film really captured them at the peak of their identical twin charm, before the pressures of teen stardom shifted their public image.
Surrounding them are adults who perfectly understood the assignment. Kirstie Alley, riding high off her Cheers fame and roles like Look Who's Talking, brings an infectious warmth and slightly chaotic energy to Diane. Her chemistry with the ever-affable Steve Guttenberg – Mr. Nice Guy from 80s staples like Cocoon and the Police Academy series – is palpable. They make for a rootable couple, navigating the awkwardness and blossoming affection with believable charm. And let's not forget Jane Sibbett (familiar to many as Carol from Friends), who chews the scenery with delicious relish as the villainous Clarice. She's less a genuine threat and more a perfectly calibrated comedic obstacle, complete with over-the-top reactions and a perpetually put-upon air.
### Retro Fun Facts: Behind the Camp Gates
- While it feels like a quintessential American summer camp movie, much of It Takes Two was actually filmed north of the border, primarily in Toronto and surrounding areas of Ontario, Canada. Camp Mini-Yo-We served as the location for Camp Callaway.
- The film wasn't a massive box office smash, earning around $19.5 million worldwide against a reported budget of about $16 million. However, like so many family films of the era, its true legacy was cemented on home video. This was a staple of video store shelves and sleepover marathons throughout the late 90s. That worn-out VHS tape probably got more mileage in living rooms than the film ever did in theaters.
- Interestingly, Andy Tennant revealed that getting the twins to do the massive food fight scene required some clever motivation. Knowing they disliked getting messy, he reportedly incentivized them by promising them brand new Jeeps (even though they were too young to drive) which allegedly worked like a charm!
- The film consciously plays with the established Olsen twin dynamic, often dressing the 'wrong' twin in the other's typical style post-switch, adding a visual layer to their performances.
### A Comfort Classic That Still Works
Watching It Takes Two today is like revisiting an old friend. Sure, the plot is predictable, and the 90s fashion might elicit a chuckle (so much denim!). But its heart is undeniably in the right place. It’s a film built on charm, chemistry, and the simple joy of seeing good people find happiness (and maybe thwart a cartoonishly awful stepmother-to-be). It doesn't strive for complexity; it aims for warmth, and it hits the mark beautifully.
It captures that specific brand of optimistic, relatively low-stakes family entertainment that thrived in the 90s – movies that weren't afraid to be a little silly, a little sentimental, and wholly focused on delivering smiles. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of a well-told, familiar story when delivered with infectious enthusiasm by a cast that seems to be having a genuinely good time.
VHS Heaven Rating: 7/10
Justification: While it heavily relies on a familiar formula (The Parent Trap vibes are strong!), It Takes Two executes it with such warmth, charm, and winning performances from the entire cast, especially the Olsen twins and the delightful pairing of Alley and Guttenberg, that it overcomes its predictability. The gentle humour, memorable scenes (hello, food fight!), and overall feel-good nature make it a standout family comedy of the 90s. It loses points for lack of originality, but gains them back for sheer heart and rewatchability.
Final Thought: For anyone who grew up navigating the aisles of Blockbuster, It Takes Two is likely a fond memory – a movie that proves sometimes, a little bit of sweet, silly, double-trouble escapism is exactly what you need. Pop it in, and you might just feel like a kid again.