"Two of a Kind" stands out as a highly unconventional film noir, deviating from the genre's typical portrayal of criminals facing punishment for their actions. Lisabeth Scott delivers a captivating performance as Brandy Kirby, assuming the role of a femme fatale in one of her more intense and intriguing portrayals. The film revolves around a scheme orchestrated by Vincent Mailer (Alexander Knox), a successful attorney working for the wealthy McIntyre couple, William and Maida (Griff Barnett and Virginia Brissac).
Years ago, the McIntyres' three-year-old son disappeared, leaving Maida emotionally devastated. Despite the passage of time, they continue their search for the lost boy well into their middle age. Mailer sends Brandy on a cross-country quest to find the perfect candidate to deceive the McIntyres into believing that their long-lost son has been found. Enter Michael "Lefty" Farrell (Edmund O'Brien), a man with a troubled past, having spent time in a reform school, a traveling circus, and serving in the Navy during the war, remarkably exhibiting exemplary service.
Through interviews with individuals from Farrell's past, Brandy discovers that he lives in close proximity to her and Mailer in Los Angeles. Edmund O'Brien delivers a convincing performance as a schemer and ladies' man, particularly in the first half of the film. Brandy manipulates Farrell into breaking his finger in a car door, leading to its amputation-a necessary step since the McIntyre child had a missing finger.
The allure of inheriting the McIntyre fortune is not what ultimately convinces Farrell to participate in the scheme; it is his attraction to Brandy. She shows no remorse for involving herself with Farrell while ostensibly being involved with Mailer. While their intimacy is never explicitly shown on screen, the implications are apparent due to the film's 1951 release.
"Two of a Kind" takes an unexpected turn with the introduction of Kathy (Terry Moore), the McIntyres' eccentric niece, who serves as unwelcome comic relief. Kathy falls for Farrell, believing he has a criminal history, and convinces herself that she can reform him. Farrell plays along as he needs Kathy's introduction to Mr. McIntyre.
In a clever twist, Mailer's scheme falls apart when McIntyre initially believes Farrell is his son but decides not to include him in the will. The plot gains momentum again when Farrell threatens to expose the scheme, prompting Mailer to order his accomplice, Todd (Robert Anderson), to drown Farrell off the McIntyre dock.
In a dramatic turn of events, Farrell manages to overpower Todd during the struggle in the water, nearly killing him. Fortunately, no one sustains serious injuries. The climax of the film unfolds as Mailer and Farrell reveal their versions of the scheme to McIntyre, who shockingly chooses not to press charges against anyone involved. Mailer is promptly fired and required to surrender his law license.
McIntyre presents Farrell with an unusual request-to continue pretending to be their long-lost son to comfort Mrs. McIntyre, who firmly believes in Farrell's identity. Farrell agrees to occasionally visit and play along with the charade. The hardened con artist surprisingly develops a soft spot for his marks, suggesting that he may not have been as bad of a person as initially portrayed, given his honorable service in the Navy.
The film concludes with Brandy and Farrell sharing a kiss as they drive away together. It is exceedingly rare to witness criminals escaping the consequences of their previous misdeeds. In this case, it appears that the Hays Code censors may have overlooked certain aspects while evaluating the film.
Scott and O'Brien exhibit remarkable chemistry, particularly in the first half of the film, where their sexually charged interactions captivate the audience. However, in the second half, Scott's involvement in the plot diminishes significantly. "Two of a Kind" manages to hold the viewer's attention up to a certain point, but the initial premise lacks substantial credibility. With a little research, such as examining hospital records to confirm Farrell's recent finger amputation, it would have been relatively easy to expose the McIntyres' deception. Indeed, Mr. McIntyre ultimately uncovers this information himself by the film's conclusion.
Viewers should approach "Two of a Kind" as an oddity, appreciating its far-fetched yet entertaining portrayal of a happy ending for the "bad boy" duo of Scott and O'Brien.
Years ago, the McIntyres' three-year-old son disappeared, leaving Maida emotionally devastated. Despite the passage of time, they continue their search for the lost boy well into their middle age. Mailer sends Brandy on a cross-country quest to find the perfect candidate to deceive the McIntyres into believing that their long-lost son has been found. Enter Michael "Lefty" Farrell (Edmund O'Brien), a man with a troubled past, having spent time in a reform school, a traveling circus, and serving in the Navy during the war, remarkably exhibiting exemplary service.
Through interviews with individuals from Farrell's past, Brandy discovers that he lives in close proximity to her and Mailer in Los Angeles. Edmund O'Brien delivers a convincing performance as a schemer and ladies' man, particularly in the first half of the film. Brandy manipulates Farrell into breaking his finger in a car door, leading to its amputation-a necessary step since the McIntyre child had a missing finger.
The allure of inheriting the McIntyre fortune is not what ultimately convinces Farrell to participate in the scheme; it is his attraction to Brandy. She shows no remorse for involving herself with Farrell while ostensibly being involved with Mailer. While their intimacy is never explicitly shown on screen, the implications are apparent due to the film's 1951 release.
"Two of a Kind" takes an unexpected turn with the introduction of Kathy (Terry Moore), the McIntyres' eccentric niece, who serves as unwelcome comic relief. Kathy falls for Farrell, believing he has a criminal history, and convinces herself that she can reform him. Farrell plays along as he needs Kathy's introduction to Mr. McIntyre.
In a clever twist, Mailer's scheme falls apart when McIntyre initially believes Farrell is his son but decides not to include him in the will. The plot gains momentum again when Farrell threatens to expose the scheme, prompting Mailer to order his accomplice, Todd (Robert Anderson), to drown Farrell off the McIntyre dock.
In a dramatic turn of events, Farrell manages to overpower Todd during the struggle in the water, nearly killing him. Fortunately, no one sustains serious injuries. The climax of the film unfolds as Mailer and Farrell reveal their versions of the scheme to McIntyre, who shockingly chooses not to press charges against anyone involved. Mailer is promptly fired and required to surrender his law license.
McIntyre presents Farrell with an unusual request-to continue pretending to be their long-lost son to comfort Mrs. McIntyre, who firmly believes in Farrell's identity. Farrell agrees to occasionally visit and play along with the charade. The hardened con artist surprisingly develops a soft spot for his marks, suggesting that he may not have been as bad of a person as initially portrayed, given his honorable service in the Navy.
The film concludes with Brandy and Farrell sharing a kiss as they drive away together. It is exceedingly rare to witness criminals escaping the consequences of their previous misdeeds. In this case, it appears that the Hays Code censors may have overlooked certain aspects while evaluating the film.
Scott and O'Brien exhibit remarkable chemistry, particularly in the first half of the film, where their sexually charged interactions captivate the audience. However, in the second half, Scott's involvement in the plot diminishes significantly. "Two of a Kind" manages to hold the viewer's attention up to a certain point, but the initial premise lacks substantial credibility. With a little research, such as examining hospital records to confirm Farrell's recent finger amputation, it would have been relatively easy to expose the McIntyres' deception. Indeed, Mr. McIntyre ultimately uncovers this information himself by the film's conclusion.
Viewers should approach "Two of a Kind" as an oddity, appreciating its far-fetched yet entertaining portrayal of a happy ending for the "bad boy" duo of Scott and O'Brien.