MovieChat Forums > Big Business (1988) Discussion > Tomlin's overacting

Tomlin's overacting

posted 11 years ago by annmason24
6 replies | jump to latest

Lily Tomlin was terrible in this film. She over acted both of the characters to an embarrassing extent. I like Lily Tomlin, and 9 to 5 is one of my favorite films, but she scored a zero here.

I cannot stand her constant panting to convey stress, her body and arm and hand flapping to convey nervousness, and her rattling bracelet and hissing about snakes in that terrible Southern accent. I fast forward through all of her scenes.

But I enjoyed Bette Midler. I am not a Midler fan, but she really owns this movie. I would not blame her New York Sadie for having eliminated the New York Rose long before she could inherit, I'm sure the stockholdenrs would unanimously approve.

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] mwlindsey2000 9 years ago

I love Lily in this movie but I like her in everything. "I'm wearing my Tuesday panties but I guess you knew that too." Ha!

[–] HarlowMGM 9 years ago

Not only do I disagree with you re Lily - she's hilarious and perfection in this part, giving her part - or rather parts - poignant human touches - but Midler IMO overacts terribly as rich bitch Sophie, like a bad parody of Joan Collins (whom poor hick Sophia idolizes). I presume Bette did this deliberately, as if rich Sophie was unconscious of her copying of overthetop soap opera boss lady but it came off as overacting. I liked her much better as poor Sophie a part she played with sympathy and appeal even if this Sophie too was a bit broad.

[–] Treg1980 9 years ago

but Midler IMO overacts terribly as rich bitch Sophie

Yeah but then Sadie. LOL

[–] pepetoony (1744) 3 years ago

I thought Bette overacted in this movie. She wasn't believable at all as the 'hick' version of herself.

[–] holly61 (954) 24 days ago

No she did great. She was believable as both characters. The door mat city woman and the country go-getter. Bette could only pull off one character (city woman).