[.ca] Twin Falls Idaho (Widescreen)

From Amazon.com:
A movie about conjoined (or "Siamese") twins and a prostitute sounds like a bad joke or a sleazy porn flick, but Twin Falls Idaho is actually an eerie, atmospheric story about love and mutual dependence. Penny (Michele Hicks) gets called to a dingy hotel room where she discovers Blake and Francis Falls (twin brothers Mark and Michael Polish). When they go into the bathroom to get her a glass of water, she flees--but forgets her purse. When she returns, Blake and Francis don't get angry; they accept her fear and horror with sad resignation. Their vulnerability draws Penny into their lives, as she learns that the illness of one twin threatens the lives of both. Twin Falls Idaho moves slowly, but the pace never drags. The lush cinematography is drenched in color; the makeup, costumes, and set design feel not quite contemporary and combine to give the movie a dislocated, otherworldly look. The movie was written by the Polish brothers and directed by Michael; though it's their first film, it feels confident and has a sweet, melancholy humor. The performances of the entire cast--including supporting appearances by Patrick Bauchau, Lesley Ann Warren, and Garrett Morris--are consistent and strong. Though clearly influenced by David Lynch (Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks), Twin Falls Idaho slowly becomes a unique and affecting creation. The delicate image of the twin brothers quietly whispering in each other's ears will linger in your memory long after the movie ends. --Bret Fetzer

Twin Falls Idaho:
From the restrained colors, music, pacing, acting - every element of this movie was perfectly thought out and perfectly connected. Including the Polish Brothers in their role as conjoined twins. They allow a peek inside what it is like to be a twin in the first place - but taking it to the most extreme example of two twin brothers that love and hate one another. And live with the knowlege that the weaker of the two has very little time left to live. And they delicately touch on all the little things that two attached people face daily - from their sleeping routines, to time in the bathroom, being a spectacle in public, their tender love for one another, and the one twin falling in love. I picked up the movie on a whim, thinking it would be comedic freakshow material. It turned out to be so much better than my expectations.

Shamelessly cool:
While in some ways an interesting look at a subject that has not been explored much (at all?) in film, this is one of the worst movies I have seen in a while. The script, direction, acting and cinematography are self-conscious to the point of being over-the-top. There are numerous scenes where you could say "ah I see that's supposed to symbolise THAT" - there is nothing subtle about Twin Falls Idaho, regardless of its slow pace. Everything is delivered to us with a film-school handbook about metaphors and mood lighting. People have compared the Polish brothers to David Lynch and other directors of his style. Unlike David Lynch's films, this one leaves NOTHING to the imagination. It just looks like it does.

Quiet and Beautiful:
Since watching this movie almost a week ago, I can think of little else. I am spellbound by it. I watched it a second time the next day. If you are considering watching or purchasing this DVD, here's what you need to know: The movie is beautifully artisitic, without being inaccesible. The acting is superb, the dialogue enchanting, and the humor in this serious movie is gentle. The pace is slow, dreamlike, exploratory. There is no big to-do to cheapen the end. Instead there is a feeling of "this is just a piece of life, it began before you started watching, and it will keep going after you get off your couch" Its like watching someone very intriguing in the airport, overhearing a whispered argument or a whispered profession of love, and having your flight called before you can hear how it ends. If you like action and tidy endings, this is not your film. But if you like dreamy glimpses at the way others might live, this movie will keep you awake for a week thinking of nothing else.

Hypnotic film will have you glued to your DVD player:
Penny is a prostitute and twin brothers Blake and Francis are a couple of her tricks. The only hitch in the connection is that the brothers are conjoined twins. Penny is initially repelled, but then is drawn back into their world. She plays healer and assists the brothers while one of them recovers from a heart ailment. Slowly, but surely she falls for Blake. She becomes their protector and their tormentor too. Real twin brothers - the Polish brothers - portray Blake and Francis. The two of them wrote the script, and brother Michael directed. This is their first film, though it will surely not be their last. What should be a horrible mess of a production merely based on its odd, off-center subject matter, is a hypnotic view of conjoined twins. The Polish brothers portray their roles so well, that I wanted to know how they managed to find conjoined twins so attractive and with such strong acting ability. In other words, it is a credit to their craft that they had a sad skeptic such as myself, believing that they were really conjoined twins. With supporting roles (or enlarged cameos) are Garrett Morris and Lesley Anne Warren. This film is not fluff. It takes us on a journey where we know that tragedy must come. But as Blake says,"There are no sad endings, only endings where the storyteller stopped telling the story." You really shouldn't miss this one!

GIVE YOURSELF THE GIFT OF THIS EXTRAORDINARY FILM!:
I watched this film on IFC, and was absolutely captivated with the subtle depth and compassion for humanity that was displayed. The Polish brothers clearly understand (and demonstrated in this film) an inherent closeness and intimacy that it seems only a few, very fortunate people ever experience. It begins as kind of a black comedy - very surreal and somewhat humorous. I found myself embarrassed to be laughing at the film and to me, this is characteristic of a true black comedy. It evolves into a dramatic masterpiece that, for me, faciliated greater objectivity and understanding for all mankind. One would think that a film about conjoined twins and their relationship with a hooker would be tasteless and even irreverent. This film was everything but irreverent. It addresses the issues that are inherent to being forever connected to another, and inherent to the potential loss of that connection. Whether the viewer takes the Polish brothers' "conjoined" message as literally or figuratively, it's a very powerful message. It communicates the primal pain that can be caused by societal cruelty and ignorance. It also encourages open-mindedness and objectivity for the perceptions and experiences of others. It transmutes the feeling that accompanies the experience of stretching one's comfort zone to make room for the love and acceptance of people who might be feared and labeled as less than normal. Most importantly, it brilliantly explores the experience of loving another as much as (or more than) oneself. It radiates the concept of unconditional love. I had never heard of the Polish brothers before this film, but I am in awe of the talent, perseverence, research and deep introspection it must have taken to make this film. Don't miss it.