It Takes Two (1995 film) facts for kids

It Takes Two is a fun comedy film from 1995. It stars Kirstie Alley, Steve Guttenberg, and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. The movie's name comes from a famous song by Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston. You can hear this song at the end of the film. The story is a lot like the classic 1961 movie The Parent Trap. That film was based on a book called Lottie and Lisa from 1949. Warner Bros. released It Takes Two for families to enjoy.

Plot Summary

Amanda Lemmon is a nine-year-old orphan. She really wants her social worker, Diane Barrows, to adopt her. But the rules say Diane cannot adopt her because she does not earn enough money and is not married. Meanwhile, a family known for adopting many kids, the Butkises, wants to adopt Amanda.

While at summer camp, Amanda meets a girl named Alyssa Callaway. Alyssa looks exactly like Amanda! Alyssa has just come home from boarding school. She finds out her dad, Roger, who owns the camp, is about to marry Clarice Kensington. Clarice is a very bossy and selfish person who only cares about money.

Amanda and Alyssa quickly become friends. They both wish they had the other's life. So, they decide to switch places! Amanda goes to live Alyssa's rich life, and Alyssa gets to experience summer camp. While pretending to be each other, they get to know the other's parent. They soon realize that Roger and Diane would be perfect together. They desperately try to set them up, hoping they will fall in love.

Roger and Diane do seem to like each other when they meet. Diane is surprised that Roger, despite being rich, is kind and humble. Roger, with Diane's help, finds the courage to visit the camp again. He had not been back since his wife passed away, as it brought back sad memories.

Clarice sees Roger and Diane having fun together. She quickly convinces Roger to move the wedding date up to the very next day. Amanda, still pretending to be Alyssa, overhears Clarice's plan. Clarice wants to send "Alyssa" away to a boarding school in Tibet after the wedding. At the same time, Alyssa, pretending to be Amanda, is adopted by the Butkises without Diane knowing. Alyssa soon discovers that the Butkises adopt many kids just to make them work very hard in their salvage yard for no pay.

About two hours before the wedding, Amanda tells Vincenzo, the family butler, that she is not Alyssa. Vincenzo then goes to the orphanage to find Diane. He tells her about the girls switching places. Diane quickly flies by helicopter to the Butkises' salvage yard. She picks up the real Alyssa and rushes her to the wedding. Meanwhile, Vincenzo and Amanda try to delay the wedding.

Roger hesitates to say "I do" at the altar. He remembers all the good times he had with Diane and realizes he has fallen in love with her. Suddenly, Diane bursts into the church with Alyssa right behind her. Roger tells Clarice that he loves Diane. Clarice gets very angry and slaps Roger. She tries to slap "Alyssa" too, blaming her for ruining the wedding. But Vincenzo stops her. As Clarice storms away, the real Alyssa steps out. Clarice gets confused, thinking there are two Alyssas. She tries to slap the real Alyssa, but Diane steps in front of her. Diane tells Clarice to "Back off, Barbie" and calmly points out that Clarice has something in her teeth. Embarrassed, Clarice tries to leave again. But Alyssa steps on her wedding dress, causing the skirt to rip off!

Roger is surprised to learn that Alyssa has been with Diane all this time, and he had Amanda. It becomes clear that the girls planned their meetings all along, and they are very proud of themselves. After some encouragement from the girls, Roger and Diane share a kiss. The four of them then ride off in a horse-drawn carriage, driven by Vincenzo, through Central Park.

Main Characters

• Diane Barrows (Kirstie Alley) is a kind social worker. She takes care of orphans and especially loves Amanda. She wants to adopt Amanda but cannot because of her low salary. Diane also hopes to find love and feels a connection with Roger.
• Roger Callaway (Steve Guttenberg) is a very rich man whose wife passed away. He owns Camp Callaway, which he started with his late wife. He lives in a big house near the camp. After meeting Diane, he starts to have doubts about marrying Clarice.
• Alyssa Callaway (Ashley Olsen) is a wealthy girl who lives with her dad, Roger. She is smart and helps Amanda with their plan.
• Amanda Lemmon (Mary-Kate Olsen) is an orphan who dreams of having a family. She is clever and helps Alyssa with their plan.
• Vincenzo (Philip Bosco) is the Callaway family's butler. He is also Alyssa's best friend and like a father to her. He helps the girls with their plan.
• Clarice Kensington (Jane Sibbett) is a socialite who only cares about money. She is the opposite of Diane. She does not like children or baseball and only wants to marry Roger for his wealth. She also tells Roger that Alyssa is spoiled.
• Harry (Ernie Grunwald) and Fanny Butkis (Ellen-Ray Henessy) are a couple who want to adopt Amanda. Amanda does not like them because she heard they make adopted kids work hard in their salvage yard. They have several adopted children and a biological son, Harry, Jr. (Dov Tiefenbach).

Awards and Nominations

The film and its stars received some awards and nominations:

• Won – Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actress (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen)
• Nominated – Nickelodeon Blimp Award for Favorite Movie Actress (Kirstie Alley)
• Nominated – Young Artist Award for Best Performance by an Actress Under Ten (Ashley Olsen)
• Nominated – Young Artist Award for Best Performance by an Actress Under Ten (Mary-Kate Olsen)

See also

In Spanish: It Takes Two para niños