Big Business

Big Business

Year: 1988

Runtime: 97 min

Language: English

Director: Jim Abrahams

Comedy

A mix-up at birth in the quiet town of Jupiter Hollow leads to a series of comical misunderstandings spanning four decades. When two sets of identical twins—one a pair of local residents and the other sophisticated newcomers—unexpectedly meet, their clash over a factory's future sparks hilarious chaos and a quest to uncover their true identities. The twins find themselves entangled in a battle of wits and mistaken identities, leading to a surprisingly entertaining and heartwarming story.

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Big Business (1988) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

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In the sleepy Appalachian enclave of Jupiter Hollow, a decades‑old clerical blunder set the stage for a comedy of errors that still echoes through the town’s wood‑smoked streets. Two sets of identical twins were accidentally swapped at birth, sending one pair into the world of corporate ambition while their biological sisters grew up among the sawdust and camaraderie of the local furniture mill. The premise rests on the quiet charm of a close‑knit community colliding with the polished, fast‑paced world of big‑business negotiations, promising a series of misunderstandings that are as heartfelt as they are hilarious.

Rose and Sadie Shelton now run Moramax, the sleek conglomerate left to them by their late father. Rose balances ruthless drive with a yearning for a slower, country life, while Sadie Shelton exudes sharp‑edged confidence, demanding results from both employees and her own mercurial son. Across town, Rose Ratliff has become the forewoman of the very factory the Shelton sisters hope to sell, a position that ties her identity to the town’s heritage. Her sister, Sadie Ratliff, is a vibrant, down‑to‑earth spirit whose loyalty to her roots fuels a fierce protectiveness over the community’s future.

When the prospect of selling the beloved mill surfaces, the two families find themselves on opposite sides of a high‑stakes boardroom battle. The tension is amplified by the uncanny resemblance of the four women, each convinced they understand the other’s motives, leading to a cascade of comic mix‑ups, mistaken letters, and far‑citing attempts at diplomacy. The film teases the audience with the promise that deeper truths may surface, while the characters navigate the absurdities of corporate politics against the backdrop of Appalachian hospitality.

The tone is a buoyant blend of satire and sentiment, mixing slapstick moments with sincere reflections on identity, family, and the pull between progress and tradition. With witty dialogue, vivid settings—from cramped hometown workshops to glittering city offices—and a cast of larger‑than‑life personalities, the story invites viewers to wonder how far deception can travel before the bonds of blood and belonging finally prevail.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 13:39

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Big Business

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