Equinox

Writer-director Alan Rudolph’s ironic mood piece about twins (Matthew Modine in a dual role) who, though separated at birth, lead parallel lives. Lara Flynn Boyle. Paris: Fred Ward. Sonya: Tyra Ferrell. Sharon: Lori Singer. Rosie: Marisa Tomei. Nudd: Tate Donovan. Frankel: Kevin J. O’Connor., Alan Rudolph wrote and directed this typically off-beat drama. A brief romantic liaison between a wealthy European and an American ballet dancer results in a pair of identical twins, who are separated and raised by others shortly after birth. Henry (Matthew Modine) was adopted by Pete (M. Emmet Walsh), an auto mechanic, and Henry grows up to follow in his Pete’s footsteps. Emotionally fragile, Henry is in a relationship with Beverly (Lara Flynn Boyle), a rich but painfully shy woman who is terrified by sex. Henry, however, finds his own sexual appetite increasing, and he becomes involved with Rosie (Marisa Tomei), a prostitute living in his neighborhood. Meanwhile, Henry’s brother, Freddy (also played by Matthew Modine), lives in the same city, though they’ve never met. Freddy is a gangster and hired killer working for crime kingpin Mr. Paris (Fred Ward). While Freddy is cool and confident on the surface, deep down he hates his job and tells his wife, Sharon (Lori Singer), that he wishes he had enough money to quit and move away. As fate would have it, Freddy and Henry’s mother, who sank into a severe depression after losing her children and her lover, has died, leaving a substantial fortune to her two sons, who must now meet in order to collect their inheritance. Equinox premiered at the 1992 Seattle Film Festival, though it would not open theatrically until a year later., Matthew Modine doubles up as twins separated at birth, one a violent criminal with a perfect wife (Lori Singer), the other a shy car mechanic trying to pluck up the courage to ask out Lara Flynn Boyle. Add in Tyra Ferrel as a reporter on the story of a lifetime and Alan Rudolph’s film is a nightmarish take on the traditional fairytale format.