James and Max were identical twins, whose lives took drastically different directions from childhood. Like the prince and the pauper, James was reared in affluence with the finest education and creature comforts, while Max suffered a hardscrabble upbringing as a warehoused child. James is now the successful owner of Coast Pacific Development, a multi-million-dollar organization. Max is a career thief, who has just been released from Lompoc penitentiary. The film develops Max's diabolical plan to impersonate his brother, sell the company, and walk away with $18 million.
The film skillfully unfolds the kidnapping of James and the impersonation carried out by Max. The filmmakers deserve kudos for developing the two characters played by one actor. But the teleplay includes far too much violence, including no less than four grisly deaths. Perhaps the most gruesome moment is when Max abuses David, the little boy of James and Sandy, by threatening to mangle the kid's hand in the kitchen garbage disposer. Whatever the outcome, this child will need years of therapy after the scene in the kitchen!
Some reviewers on this site admired the over-the-top approach and the attempt at dark comedy. But the deception of both Sandy and little David are truly cruel, especially when we realize that Max is sleeping with Sandy. And the filmmakers' choice of leaving behind the crucifix of the poor, deceased nanny Lena was also excessive. It was also inaccurate because as an Orthodox Christian, the Ukrainian Lena would not be wearing a crucifix.
The film was also untidy in the loose ends that remained at the end. The character of Victor, who was Max's nemesis, drops out of the film after a solitary scene. It was also never made clear whether the sale of the company was finalized. And, it was curious why James's secretary Beth was never reported as missing from the office during the lengthy stretch when she was standing watch over her hostage James at the behest of Max.
Without a doubt, the best scene in the film is the moment when Sandy is forced to make the fateful choice by judging which of the two men is her real husband. While she was slow in catching on during the film, in the final analysis, Sandy demonstrates the wisdom of Solomon in her carefully considered decision.
The film skillfully unfolds the kidnapping of James and the impersonation carried out by Max. The filmmakers deserve kudos for developing the two characters played by one actor. But the teleplay includes far too much violence, including no less than four grisly deaths. Perhaps the most gruesome moment is when Max abuses David, the little boy of James and Sandy, by threatening to mangle the kid's hand in the kitchen garbage disposer. Whatever the outcome, this child will need years of therapy after the scene in the kitchen!
Some reviewers on this site admired the over-the-top approach and the attempt at dark comedy. But the deception of both Sandy and little David are truly cruel, especially when we realize that Max is sleeping with Sandy. And the filmmakers' choice of leaving behind the crucifix of the poor, deceased nanny Lena was also excessive. It was also inaccurate because as an Orthodox Christian, the Ukrainian Lena would not be wearing a crucifix.
The film was also untidy in the loose ends that remained at the end. The character of Victor, who was Max's nemesis, drops out of the film after a solitary scene. It was also never made clear whether the sale of the company was finalized. And, it was curious why James's secretary Beth was never reported as missing from the office during the lengthy stretch when she was standing watch over her hostage James at the behest of Max.
Without a doubt, the best scene in the film is the moment when Sandy is forced to make the fateful choice by judging which of the two men is her real husband. While she was slow in catching on during the film, in the final analysis, Sandy demonstrates the wisdom of Solomon in her carefully considered decision.