Comic Banderas shines in `Two Much'
Two Much is reminiscent of such romantic comedies as Some Like It Hot , The Secret of My Success and Working Girl. In movies like these, the hero creates a new personality in an attempt to get ahead -- and then has to get rid of the new personality in the interest of love. Two Much is a variation on this familiar theme, with new twists and a delightful star-studded cast.
Art Dodge (Antonio Banderas) is an economically challenged art dealer and former painter who resorts to underhanded tactics to try to raise a little cash. Art meets Betty Kerner (Melanie Griffith) at the funeral for her ex-father-in-law, who just so happened to be a mob boss.
Art is fleeing Betty's ex-husband Gene Palletto (Danny Aiello) and his thugs; she helps him escape. The very same evening, Betty decides that she is in love and decides to include Art in one of her favorite hobbies, marriage. Marriage is not Art's goal, but since Betty is wealthy, he plays along because he thinks it is the quickest way to get what he needs most -- money.
What Art does not plan on is falling in love with Betty's sister Liz (Daryl Hannah). Liz despises Dodge for his shallowness. She admonishes him for making Betty unhappy. She even tells him that as long as he's around, he had better keep Betty happy.
Realizing that he will never win the lovely Liz as the superficial man he has become for her sister, Art decides to create a twin brother, innovatively named Bart. Liz's Bart is everything Betty's Art is not. He is sensitive, enjoys poetry and paints. Art wears a ponytail while Bart lets his hair down and dons glasses. As if trying to be with two sisters who live in the same house is not enough, Art must elude Gene and his men, who refuse to give up looking for him.
Gene, who has already been married to Betty twice, is determined to win her back. Gene's main concern is her happiness, and when he realizes that she thinks she wants Art, he decides that Art must keep her happy -- or else.
Joan Cusack steals many scenes with her artful, uproariously funny portrayal of Gloria Fletcher, Art's sarcastic and underpaid secretary. Gloria is not thrilled to find herself in the uncomfortable position of having to lie to Betty, her boss' fiancée. She doesn't mind lying to the bill collectors, but love is totally different. Gloria completely disapproves of Art's dual personality, but nevertheless she remains loyal.
Banderas shines in this comedy. His hilarious sequence of quick changes, performed while trying to simultaneously satisfy the two sisters, makes Two Much worth seeing. There is just enough physical humor, almost slapstick, to make this film an outrageous ride. Two Much is a definite winner. Even if the plot is not that original, you won't mind.
This item appeared in the Arts & Entertainment section of the March 29, 1996 issue.
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