This is the type of movie pseudo-sophisticated snobs who write sprawling reviews including a play by play of the movie they are supposed to be criticizing, instead of describing, drool over. They harangue us about how predictable it all is, how it fails to re- capture the magic of grease, so on and so forth etc. They lament how It's a simple vehicle, much like a Chuck Norris or Charles Bronson vehicle, except this one uses the Grease duo...newsflash...SO WHAT? The primary purpose of film and art is to entertain, if you can entertain and make a statement at the same time, more power to you, but it is not a requirement. Two of a kind has no statement to make..neither did Bringing up Baby but I don't here these twits lining up to bash it. That much said 2 of a kind is not on the same level as that film, but it is still a good movie. Travolta and John have a natural chemistry that makes you believe they really do care about one another, and more importantly are attractive enough, in a bare bones way for the audience to care about. Oliver reed steels the show and beats out Bill Cosby (the devil and max devlin) Ray Walston (Damn Yankees) and George Burns (Oh God You Devil) with regards to Luciferian Comic relief, and Charles Durning is one of the few character actors who seemed capable of transitioning effortlessly from villain to, dare I say? Angel.
With Regards to this movie under performing at the box office, it should be pointed out that only 2 movies released wide in the Christmas season of 83 did well Sudden Impact and Uncommon valor..and most of the top 10 films where released in the spring/summer season. Yentl and Silkwood where not released wide, but competed with this one and due primarily to undeserved critical acclaim, ran twice as long making only slightly more money than this one. The executives at 20th century fox went crazy with the promotion budget, and threw a temper tantrum yanking it after only six weeks because it didn't live up to their unrealistic expectations. The snob critics played their part in cutting it down in it's prime.(if only Box office mojo was around in the 80's maybe the critics and execs would have been put in their rightful places)
I saw 2 of a kind as a kid on HBO and ..I remembered very little of it..which is odd, but I remembered liking it. The Curiosity led me to rent it on netflix. Having just watched it...I still like it. The dining room scene is creative screwball perfection and the song "Twist of Fate" is 80's bliss. Two of a kind will not change your life...but as much as many film critics might hate it...many of us "average folk" like our lives, and enjoy simple formula films, tastefully done, using talented actors, in movies that don't attempt to unravel the mysteries of the universe. You might not remember much about it after you see it, but my guess is just like I did as a 9 or 10 year old, once you do, you will remember enjoying it, because, all heavy handed aesthetic challenges aside, it is an enjoyable movie. And more importantly it has the added novelty of allowing you to enjoy it again and again
