It Takes Two (1988) — Always Buy the Extended Warranty – Mutant Reviewers

“Well, I guess I’m your bachelorette party.”

Justin’s rating: Didn’t expect so much manure in a non-Back to the Future to film

Justin’s review: This review is from a list of underrated movies from the 80s that I honestly have never heard of. The movies, not the list, of course. Intrigued by a particular mention of a romantic film with fantasy elements and a strange twist, I searched It takes two (not to be confused with the 1995 Olsen Twins project).

If you don’t mind the verdict in the second paragraph, it’s really great, in a true ’80s way, especially if you like outrageous comedy, sports cars and romantic triangles.

On the cusp of his marriage to Stephi (Leslie Hope, Men at work) and the start of a new job with his wife’s father, Travis (George Newbern, Babysitting adventures) goes to Dallas to test drive a Lamborghini knockoff in preparation for his new job. The sales associate, Jonni (Kimberly Foster, A crazy summer), proves to be the spice in life Travis didn’t know he was missing, and the two become connected in a very carnal way.

That’s right. While most films with this setup have the fickle partner walk the line of infidelity but not cross it, Travis boldly goes where fools have gone before and cheats on his fiancée. Yet he still loves her and wants to marry her, so Stephi isn’t completely out of the picture.

I’ll give this film that it’s a much harder narrative path to walk without making us hate the protagonist. It also opens the door to accusations that we’re creating a male fantasy in which a man is excused from having his cake and eating it too because he’s, like, nervous about marriage or something.

So how are you doing It takes two pull this off? Simple: it takes a serious theme and doesn’t take it so seriously, while at the same time not being disrespectful. This is a more surreal and crazy comedy in the vein of Better dead with the unraveling chaos of, say, Indication or Sounds out.

Travis is a man living in the pressure cooker of two intense families, and so you understand—if not condone—why he suddenly latches on to the most appealing option that isn’t meant to be in his life. He and Stephi are sheltered kids on the verge of a life-changing moment who haven’t really connected in the way they should have in their pre-wedding preparations.

For instance, we see how Travis and Stephi deal with overwhelming choices during a split scene where Travis goes all-in on every car option at the dealership, while Stephi is more analytical and realistic with her bridal registry choices. And Jonni is such an appealing (in more ways than one) alternative to the sheltered existence Travis has had up to this point in his life, that you actually want them to ride off into the sunset together.

I can’t believe this comedy isn’t better known for being good. Let me repeat that: It’s so good. The jokes fly fast and furious, the pace of the film is a breathtaking 82 minutes of pre-wedding nerves, and the actors are completely wild with all the madness they’re asked to do. It has three main characters who are all, in their own way, likable and relatable. And also dumb.

We’re talking about a movie with a zombie bride, a super-hot sports car, a salesroom that’s basically a video game, the most chaotic wedding preparations ever filmed (it even features a portrait artist), an evil burrito, a car dealership robbery, and an anarchist mechanic.

Director David Beaird takes what could have been a forgettable movie of the week and puts so much effort into creating an experience that kept me glued to the screen. There are lots of clever little edits, an energetic score, and absolutely no fat on this thing. It has a story — a strange, human story — to tell, and by golly, it’s going to tell it.

With a generic title and barely a release, this film was seen by almost no one when it first came out. Yet It takes two is one of the best 80s comedies I’ve discovered in a long, long time. Well, since Big man on campuswhich was also pretty great (and also largely unknown). I think it’s high time we let this film become the cult classic it deserves.

Break!

• This man walks through his own personal music video with lasers and dancing girls in slow motion
• On your last day on the rig you have to hug your boss
• A child pulling a dog on a cart across a railway track is a recipe for a very sad news item the next day
• The artist paints a portrait (!) of the bride in her dress
• The chef who takes a dead frog and chicken to a wedding dress to let her choose which meal she wants
• “That’s his earring. We have a matching set.”
• “What do I look like?” “Like a mafia game show host.”
• ZOMBIE BRIDE!
• Moms, they always give you a condom when you jump on the bus
• “Look, boy, you bought a chair, sit in it.”
• The Accelerated Introduction to Dallas
• If you’re going to test drive a Lamborghini, you better go all out
• Check out the 80s computer graphics and sound effects!
• Yes, choose the digital tape option!
• The Mexican Chefs vying for Travis’ attention
• On burritos: “Six is ​​enough.” “You’re gonna die, man.”
• “What’s the damage?” “Your colon.”
• Secretary… OF THE WHOLE WORLD
• “You wear your wedding ring on your fourth finger, and your husband’s on your little finger.”
• The car talks to Travis in Italian
• Travis making funny faces through the bars is a highlight of his life
• There aren’t many romantic comedies that feature a scene that takes place in the protagonist’s belly
• There aren’t many romantic comedies with a sermon about manure
• The really cool mechanical arm of the mechanic
• The band with an accordion, washboard and sax cannot be a good band
• Stephi is a bit of a bridezilla
• “If you breastfeed her a little more, she will be less nervous.”
• Many car dealerships have their show floor filled with a pack of Dobermans
• Blowing it up is one way to go, even if you’re piling up a million years worth of bad car parts
• “You can’t destroy anything, you just have to rearrange it.”
• That’s a very well choreographed wedding
• DISCOVER IT!