The first time I saw this film — it made me want to rush out and make a movie. Not very many new films affect me in that way. This film became an art house hit in 1999 and won awards at the Sundance Film Festival. It's a remarkable film debut from Michael Polish, who also stars in this melancholy character study.
The story follows conjoined twins, Blake and Francis Falls (Mark and Michael Polish respectively). Blake is the stronger of the two and his heart is what keeps the sick Francis alive. Because Francis is on the brink of death, the brothers check themselves into a seedy hotel and hire themselves a hooker named Penny (Michele Hicks, former model, MULHOLLAND DRIVE). Penny is a prostitute out of desperation. She is initially scared of the twins, but after having to return to their room for her purse, she starts feeling sympathy for them. Noticing that Francis is sick, she calls on a client/doctor named Miles (Patrick Bauchau, CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER), who reveals that Francis' heart is failing. Have the Falls brothers checked into the Idaho Hotel to die?
There's little plot to the film — it mostly centers around the developing relationship between the three main characters. Having lived their life within inches of each other's ears, the brothers have developed a habit of whispering gently to each other. What Blake fears more than Francis' death killing him, is the dreadful loneliness that would consume him, for he's never been alone. Through the sad story of the brothers, we begin to learn more about Penny's own sad past. These characters bond over shared emotions. There's a wonderfully tender and joyous scene where Penny takes Blake and Francis to a Halloween party where they can feel normal for an evening. We also get a peek into their past, meeting their guarded mother Francine (Lesley Ann Warren, TV's MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE) and a last minute look at their lives before they arrived at the Idaho Hotel.
The direction and screenplay are subtle and even poetic at times, leaving room for irony and humor amid the heartrending moments. The acting is engaging, especially from the Polish brothers. The cinematography gorgeously captures the starkly contrasting production design with its deep, bold color palette. Though the film gets a bit over-dramatic at the end, under the extraordinary circumstances of the twins' lives, one might forgive a bit of melodrama from these characters. This is a must see that anyone can enjoy.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
