Tools for this page
Print

What’s the Story?

Reviewed by Nancy Davis Kho

In IT TAKES TWO, twins Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen play strangers who just happen to look alike and share a penchant for match-making. Amanda Lemmon (Mary-Kate) is a tough cookie; an orphan who fears being adopted by a family she's never met instead of by the woman who loves her like her own daughter, orphanage director Diane Barrows (Kirstie Alley). Her counterpart Alyssa Callaway (Ashley) lives in the lap of luxury with her billionaire father ( Steve Guttenberg), but sees that her father's new fiance is up to no good. The girls meet and hatch a plan to bring Diane and Roger Callaway together, and experience life on the other side of the grass in the process.

Is It Any Good?

3

There is nary a plot trick in the movie that hasn't been seen before, and even younger viewers will probably figure out who's going to end up with whom by the end of the second scene. Still, the cast -- particularly Allie and Guttenberg -- put their all into it, and there are genuine laughs as the girls pull the strings to get the grownups to meet. Both Olsen girls fare better when they're not reaching for Alyssa's blue-blood articulation or tawking Brooklyn-tough-guy as Amanda; it comes as a relief when they drop the artifice and are allowed to let their comic chops stand alone.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
(It's free!)

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.