LIES OF THE TWINS
US, 1991, 93 minutes, Colour.
Aidan Quinn, Isabella Rosselini, Iman.
Directed by Tim Hunter.
An entertaining, if conventional, telemovie. It focuses on a fashion model, a made-to-measure role for talented model Isabella Rosselini. She shines in this film - and is reminiscent of her mother, Ingrid Bergman. The focus of her obsession are twins, nicely played by Aidan Quinn with minimum of difference, but essential difference. Each is a psychiatrist, the younger more gentle, the older more ruthless. The model is attached to one, becomes obsessed by the other - leading to a violent confrontation.
Also in the cast are Iman, the successful African model, and Hurd Hatfield as the models' manager.
The film was directed by Tim Hunter who made an impact with his youth films, the tenial Tex and the somewhat savage The river's Edge. Here he is working within the conventions of a popular telemovie.
1.Interesting and entertaining telemovie? The focus on obsession, on twins and their psychological bonding?
2.The world of fashion models, filming and photography? The world of psychiatrists? Affluent world? Lavish sets and homes? The California coast? Musical score?
3.The title and its focus? As applied to Jonathon, as applied to James? As perceived by Rachel?
4.Isabella Rosselini as Rachel, the successful model, her style? Her friend and their confidences? Telling the story, the flashbacks? Remembering her encounters with Jonathon and the relationship with him? Her relationship with Gil? Her wanting to get into the business and her success? Her personal crises, Jewel asking her to stop modelling? Her having to face her obsessions?
5.Rachel and her therapy, Jonathon as therapist, not having much wrong with her? Dating, sharing, falling in love? The proposal and her moving in? The domestic life at home? Jonathon's busyness - and their going for the free night to the luxury hotel? The Art Gallery and her slapping James, her embarrassment? The fascination with James? The meetings, the resistance, the affair? Her covering the affair? Jonathon and her discussions, wanting the truth? Her relying in confidence on her girl friend? Going to the party, her not feeling welcome, her snub to the hostess? The talk with the wife, the information about Sandy? Looking in the files? Her visit to Sandy, her discussions with her mother? Talking to Jonathon and hearing the truth? His harshness towards Sandy yet sending her the money? The news of his father's death? James' phone call and his deceiving Rachel? The tension between the two, the separation from Jonathon? The meetings, James? Her wanting to break with him? The build-up to the confrontation, the violence and the shooting? Her visit to James's grave - her leaving and her future?
6.Jonathon, therapist, psychiatry? Pleasant, the relationship, loving Rachel? Hard work, the relaxation at the hotel? His courses? His not mentioning James? The discussion, the tension, the long enmity? The information about Sandy, talking with Rachel? His anger with her? His father's death and his return? The separation - the shoot-out and the irony of his death?
7.The contrast with James, tough, women, psychiatrist? The affair, the reckless driving, flaunting himself with Rachel? The phone calls and his pretence? The shooting - the headstone at his grave? His visit - and the irony of his survival?
8.The world of modelling, Rachel and her friend, support?
9.Gil, his talent, recognising surfaces, interviews for models, business management, telling Rachel not to do the work? Her tension, emotions, the tiger? His recognition of what was going on?
10.The party, the psychologist and her book, her seductive style, Rachel's harsh words to her? The discussion with the discontented wife?
11.The visit to Sandra, her disability, her mother, taking the money from Jonathon? The effect on Rachel?
12.Rachel and her studying the books about twins? The relationship, older and younger, domination? Shared experiences, betrayal? Her obsessions - leading to destruction?
