chow913 This was an interesting take on 'The Prince and the Pauper.' Stephanie Powers stars as a bored and financially stressed housewife of a college professor (Barry Boswick) with rumors of taking liberties with his students.Ironically we learn in an early scene that Boswick is actually one of the few professors NOT trading grades for sex.Stephanie stressed for a vacation ends up celebrating her birthday with her twin Sabrina whom lives life in the fast and glamorous world of the rich Euro trash.Just as in the original story, as the two share complaints about their lives the start to see the grass on the other side looking greener and decide to trade places. Stephanie will experience all the glitz and glamour of Europe, while Sabrina will return to the stable life of an American housewife and mother of two (Fairuza Balk and Tobey Maquire).Also predictably the two learn to actually enjoy life on the other side. Sabrina ends up falling in love with Prof. Boswick and being the caring and involved mother Stephanie did not want to be.Logically this plot shouldn't work. It's not like 'The Prince and the Pauper' or 'The Prisoner of Zenda' where coworkers/royal subjects could be easily duped. But children know knowing their own mother? A husband and boyfriends not noticing any differences in the bedroom? Surely they could not be so easily fooled.The storyline really is very exciting and keeps you enthralled enough to hang on to every scene. I can't write any more without giving away some key plot twists. Just be assured the story takes some real twists.Not so realistic is the scene where Sabrina finally tells Boswick the truth about her identity. Sure he's angry and kicks her out but realistically anyone else wouldn't be as nice. They'd throw her out the window or bury her in the backyard.There's also a great performance be a young Fairuza Balk as Stephanie's daughter. A scene where she is teased and traumatically kicked out of the school play may be the childhood trauma which turned her into the Goth skinhead she's better known as in films like 'American History X.' Yes, that is Tobey Maquire as the son. Although IMDb and the open credits do no credit him. There's no doubt it is him.

ntsuno I always have been a big fan Stefanie Powers and in this TV movie she gives a great performance. The way she plays two characters is fantastic. I also am looking around to buy this film on DVD and I hope it will be happening soon. Really a great movie.

Henryk von Babenberg Although this is standard stuff, the mini-series is made thoroughly interesting by its appealing stars, especially Ms. Powers who was always a sight for sore eyes. Quite enjoyable although very obvious from the start. Pity this hasn't been released on video or DVD - would be great for a rainy evening.

glassman-4 This is one of the few 80s miniseries I thoroughly enjoyed. It's very exciting and enjoyable, and just cheesy enough to not take itself too seriously. AND it has Gina Lolobrigida! The Princeton subplot wasn't all that interesting, but the rest of this movie was great. And who could forget Mrs. Thirkel insulting the medical profession and Italian food. Classic. This isn't for beer swilling dudes or high culture snobs, but most everyone else will love it for the scenes in Europe, the exciting plot, and the comedic high drama. I'm upset it's not available on video.