Les frères Falls

I'd never heard of this until a few weeks back. I saw it last week on video. What a lovely film. It treats its subject matter with real sensitivity. The performances are believable, especially by the two Polish brothers (who made the film as well)as Siamese twins who have shacked up in a hotel for reasons initially unknown, while Michele Hicks is really sweet as the only person who will befriend them. The mood and pace is slow and beautifully graceful. A nice change from shallow, dumb blockbusters, Twin Falls Idaho is a very touching, tender film.

A story about a grown-up pair of Siamese twin brothers - one does wonder. "Twin Falls Idaho" is a quiet yet possibly disturbing film (only if one is uncomfortable with the idea of looking at a pair of conjoined twins' physical features, which was actually only subtly featured). It is thought provoking and calmly sentimental. Well-written, acted, and just the right dosage, I felt.

It's a tender story about brotherly love, man and woman young love, sons and motherly love - full of humanity. The natural delivery of everyone in the movie, including Penny's friend, the doctor who gave a routine check up on the twins - there's a casualness and ease to his brief performance. Michele Hicks somehow fits perfectly into the role of Penny - there's just the enough measure of beauty and heart demonstrated by her acting. There's also her low voice, the way she talks; her lean figure, the way she walks. Along with the ever fascinating to watch Leslie Ann Warren, 'tis blessed casting. The Polish brothers are themselves remarkable. How they delivered such poignant sensitivity about a pair of attached Siamese twins, when they themselves were not, is amazing. Michael Polish directed this script that he wrote with brother Mark.

It's not Hollywood, not action movie. It is independent film flavor. It has no glamour - it does have some artistic camera angles and a dreamlike flashback sequence. But it is an intriguing film to experience, at its own pace, without rushing anything. The tone and mood, and the dim photography might suggest otherwise, but there is suspense and a secret to unfold. It all comes together naturally, with its slow dance. Its ending? Go see for yourself - it's an experience that would worth your while.

Applause to the Polish Brothers and everyone involved in the production of this film.

"Twin Falls, Idaho" is a very well made film with unusual depth and complex emotional content. It is absolutely a must see for anyone wanting more than your usual Hollywood fodder and fluff. A different sort of Love Story and a gritty look at a uniquely off-center topic.

The Characters are often somewhat surreal, but not to the point of being ridiculous or unbelievable, this said same surrealism serves to make the imagery and story all the more powerful. The Hopeful and "Best of Humanity" themes and messages underlying the main story are clear to anyone that watches this fine piece of work.

Casting and Cinematography are exceptional. And the stand out performance without a doubt goes to the lovely Michele Hicks as Penny as well as fine performances by Mark and Michael Polish as the Twins. One of the Best Films I have seen in quite a long time.

I caught the beginning of Twin Falls, Idaho one evening while flipping past the Independent Film Channel. I was immediately hooked by the story. The acting was absolutely riveting, and while the plot may have been slow to develop, and even a bit predictable, there was an intangible quality about it that kept my eyes glued to the screen.

Michele Hicks is brilliant in a difficult role. My heart nearly broke when she was shunned by the Falls brothers. Lesley Ann Warren was excellent as the cliche mother. But the real kudos belong to the Polish brothers, who were responsible for the writing, acting, and directing. I was convinced that the story they told was real when I first saw them. The bond they display on screen is definitely not contrived. I was completely blown away by the tenderness and understanding they shared.

All in all, one of the 5 best movies I have ever seen. It is rare for me to be so completely gripped by a movie as I was when I saw this one. And yet, I just couldn't tear myself away. 10/10

"Twin Falls Idaho" is a dream-haunter of a film! Lovingly and meticulously directed by Michael Polish and written with quiet brilliance by Mark Polish (with help from twin brother Michael), this gentle, soft-spoken film is one of the three best films of 1999. The imagery in the film is often gritty and stark, pointing out subtext to the audience without utilizing masks or shadows. It's a wonderful story about the nature of relationships; about love and marriage and "divorce"; and about the lives of those unfortunates society labels as "different", and the realization that they are not so different as society may have initially supposed. The acting is superb; the Polish brothers are completely believable as the conjoined twins Blake and Francis Falls, performing feats like deftly buttoning up each other's shirts or playing the guitar together (Blake strums while Francis manages the fret for chord changes) as if they had, indeed, done it all their lives. As the film rolled on, I found myself loving these two guys as unique and colorful individuals, and empathizing with their plight. And the often-used "Hooker with a Heart" character Penny is given new light and life by Mark Polish's careful crafting of the character and by Michelle Hicks edgy yet warm performance. If you're like me, "Twin Falls Idaho" will leave you awake nights, thinking long and long. I look forward to seeing what the Polish brothers will do next, either collaboratively or on their own.