Watch Twin Falls Idaho

Twin Falls Idaho is a deeply intimate indie drama that tells the story of two conjoined twins, Blake and Francis Falls (played by real-life twin brothers Michael and Mark Polish), living in a rundown hotel in the titular eponymous town. The film chronicles the final few days of their lives, as they prepare to part ways and undergo a precarious separation surgery, which could very well kill them in the process.

From the outset, we're immersed in a world that's both ethereal and melancholic. The movie's muted tones and dusty landscapes set the stage for its themes of isolation, mortality, and the search for identity. The Polish brothers, who also wrote and directed the film, do a fantastic job in building a palpable atmosphere of despair and uncertainty, with very little dialog used.

The story is slow and patient, with a lot of emphasis placed on the twins' conflicting personalities and the ghosts of their past that still haunt them. Blake is the more carefree of the two, while Francis is the more serious and contemplative one. Together, they're stuck in a purgatory of sorts, unable to make any decisions or move freely in the world.

Things take an unusual turn when they meet Penny (Michele Hicks), a mysterious woman who's also living in the hotel. She's initially hired to help care for the twins, but soon becomes a close confidante and potential love interest for Francis, much to Blake's disapproval. The dynamic between the three is fascinating to watch, as we see them navigate their desires and aspirations against the backdrop of the twins' impending fate.

Twin Falls Idaho becomes especially poignant in its climax, when the brothers prepare for their surgery. The scene is shot with a great sense of precariousness, as we're all too aware of the risks involved. The ending is left open-ended and ambiguous, but it's fitting given the gentle and introspective nature of the film.

The performances in Twin Falls Idaho are all excellent, with Michael and Mark Polish giving nuanced and understated portrayals of their conjoined characters. Michele Hicks brings a certain magnetism to her role as Penny, while Lesley Ann Warren is also great in her small part as the twins' estranged mother.

Overall, Twin Falls Idaho is a haunting and melancholic drama that lingers in the mind long after it's over. The Polish brothers' unique vision and attention to detail make it a standout indie film that's well worth a watch.

Twin Falls Idaho is a 1999 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 71.