Trading Places
TRADING PLACES (15)
D: John Landis
Paramount (Aaron Russo)
US 1983
116 mins
Comedy
W: Timothy Harris & Herschel
Weingrod
DP: Robert Paynter
Ed: Malcolm Campbell
Mus: Elmer Bernstein
PD: Gene Rudolf
Cos: Deborah Nadoolman
Dan Aykroyd (Louis Winthorpe III), Eddie Murphy (Billy Ray
Valentine), Don Ameche (Mortimer Duke), Ralph Bellamy (Randolph Duke), Denholm Elliott (Coleman), Jamie Lee
Curtis (Ophelia) Paul Gleeson (Clarence Beeks)
Long before Eddie Murphy developed an ego that outweighed
his talent he actually starred in some enjoyably funny comedies. Trading Places is up there amongst his best, both film and performance-wise.
Billy Ray Valentine (Murphy) is a street con artist who
finds himself behind bars. Louis Winthorpe III (Aykroyd) is a Harvard educated banker for a big city investment firm. They both have their lives switched by the pair of crotchety, bigoted old
men who run Louis' firm for the purposes of their gambling entertainment. The bet is that Valentine wouldn't be able to succeed in the business world and Winthorpe wouldn't cope on the
streets without resorting to a life of crime.
The comedy duo are both in their element, shining
throughout, and there's an excellent supporting cast on hand to assist, especially Don Ameche, Ralph Bellamy, Denholm Elliott & Jamie Lee Curtis, proving she has more to her act than
scream queen of slasher movies.
8/10
