Just another Eddie Murphy movie is a good way to describe Trading Places which was released in 1983. The film was directed by John Landis who also directed The Blues Brothers and Animal House as well as Coming to America which was made after Trading Places and shared a few funny connections with the older movie. The supporting cast included actors such as Dan Aykroyd, a stuck up investor prodigy, Louis Winthorpe III; Ralph Bellany and Dan Ameche who were the rich and powerful Duke brothers; Jamie Lee Curtis as a prostitute named Ophelia; and James Belushi who played a small but enjoyable role.
The comedy is based on a bet between the Duke brothers who disagree as to whether the circumstances in which a person lives can shape who they are and how they act. Eddie Murphy, a broke con artist living on the streets named Billy Rae Valentine, happens to stumble across the brothers and Louis Winthorpe, who works for the Dukes. The two brothers then destroy Louis' life and give everything he owns to Billy hence the title Trading Places.
Although the plot may seem somewhat dark considering a man's life is destroyed so two old men can make a bet, it is still a comedy at heart and Landis did a good job of keeping the film mostly upbeat for his audience. It still contains some sad scenes and a few racist comments, but he always picks the viewers back up shortly afterward with the help of Eddie Murphy and some other lesser characters including the old and mistreated butler, Coleman, who would love to see the men who boss him around every day out in the streets.
In order to keep this upbeat attitude throughout the film however, Landis made the movie a little ridiculous at times. Especially when Billy Valentine turns out to be a wizard investor within the first day of working at the company and when Winthorpe goes a little psychotic not long after losing his job in a scene that involves a Santa costume, stolen salmon, a gun, and lots of drugs. But if you put the ridiculousness aside, which really wasn't a bad thing in the first place, you have a funny, and rather enjoyable film.
Throughout the film you witness Billy and Louis' journey in different shoes and of course they eventually realize what happened to the two of them and decide that they are not the Duke brother's play things. Although it can sometimes be predictable, I doubt the movie was intended to stump its audience. It flows well and throws just enough wrenches into the plot to keep its audience interested and pleased. Of course the cast is a big factor in pleasing the audience and they do a great job of portraying the personalities of their characters in an enjoyable and sometimes surprising way (Jamie Lee Curtis nude scene).
If you watch this movie expecting a moving piece about the question of nature vs. nurture and the struggles of men facing adversity in the real world, you will not be satisfied; however, if you are in the mood for a classic, good natured comedy and some old school Eddie Murphy then this is your film. I would not suggest this film for children but more for the older teens and adults. It's a movie you won't regret seeing and it's on Netflix so basically free considering just about everyone either has Netflix or has a friend that does.
The comedy is based on a bet between the Duke brothers who disagree as to whether the circumstances in which a person lives can shape who they are and how they act. Eddie Murphy, a broke con artist living on the streets named Billy Rae Valentine, happens to stumble across the brothers and Louis Winthorpe, who works for the Dukes. The two brothers then destroy Louis' life and give everything he owns to Billy hence the title Trading Places.
Although the plot may seem somewhat dark considering a man's life is destroyed so two old men can make a bet, it is still a comedy at heart and Landis did a good job of keeping the film mostly upbeat for his audience. It still contains some sad scenes and a few racist comments, but he always picks the viewers back up shortly afterward with the help of Eddie Murphy and some other lesser characters including the old and mistreated butler, Coleman, who would love to see the men who boss him around every day out in the streets.
In order to keep this upbeat attitude throughout the film however, Landis made the movie a little ridiculous at times. Especially when Billy Valentine turns out to be a wizard investor within the first day of working at the company and when Winthorpe goes a little psychotic not long after losing his job in a scene that involves a Santa costume, stolen salmon, a gun, and lots of drugs. But if you put the ridiculousness aside, which really wasn't a bad thing in the first place, you have a funny, and rather enjoyable film.
Throughout the film you witness Billy and Louis' journey in different shoes and of course they eventually realize what happened to the two of them and decide that they are not the Duke brother's play things. Although it can sometimes be predictable, I doubt the movie was intended to stump its audience. It flows well and throws just enough wrenches into the plot to keep its audience interested and pleased. Of course the cast is a big factor in pleasing the audience and they do a great job of portraying the personalities of their characters in an enjoyable and sometimes surprising way (Jamie Lee Curtis nude scene).
If you watch this movie expecting a moving piece about the question of nature vs. nurture and the struggles of men facing adversity in the real world, you will not be satisfied; however, if you are in the mood for a classic, good natured comedy and some old school Eddie Murphy then this is your film. I would not suggest this film for children but more for the older teens and adults. It's a movie you won't regret seeing and it's on Netflix so basically free considering just about everyone either has Netflix or has a friend that does.