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Overall Rating
  Awesome: 64.71%
Worth A Look: 31.37%
Average: 3.92%
Pretty Bad: 0%
Total Crap: 0%
2 reviews, 39 user ratings
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| Trading Places |
by Scott Weinberg
"One of the best American comedies of a decade that delivered plenty of them"
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One of Eddie Murphy's best; easily one of Dan Aykroyd's best; one of the most beautiful looks at Philly via celluloid...and, of course, that one famous scene with Jamie Lee Curtis and her overpowering breasties.The good news:
One of the finest comedies of the early 1980’s has recently made its debut on DVD. We’re talking about Trading Places, an altogether hilarious concoction that features Dan Aykroyd at his strongest, Eddie Murphy at his freewheeling funniest, and director John Landis at the absolute top of his game. Filmed in my amazingly wonderful hometown of Philadelphia, PA and featuring an stunningly gratuitous nude scene by Jamie Lee Curtis, this one’s pure modern classic through and through.
The bad news:
It’s a Paramount release.
I’m not exactly sure why the powers-that-be at Paramount Home Entertainment have such disdain for their customers, but Trading Places is only the most recent fan favorite that’s been delivered in a relatively unimpressive package. First off, no goodies at all. Yeah yeah, the movie’s the thing; I know. I’d rather own the movie than not, but we’re talking about DVD technology here! Find me a person who dislikes Trading Places, and I’ll show you the ONE person who wouldn’t love to see some kind of retrospective documentary, a cast commentary, or a few measly deleted scenes. Heck, this DVD doesn’t even have a TRAILER! Even Beverly Hills Cop 3 had a trailer!
Okay, gripes aside, I simply adore this movie and I’m thrilled to finally have it in my collection. Extra goodies are always nice, but the movie really IS the thing, and Paramount has at least delivered this fine Philly farce in a lovely widescreen anamorphic format.
The plot is a modern retelling of the old Prince and the Pauper tale; snooty yuppie Louis Winthorpe III (Aykroyd) is stripped of his social status, assets, and snooty yuppie fiancée, while petty criminal Billy Ray Valentine (Murphy) gets the opposite treatment - going from a poor street hustler to a successful and wealthy businessman. This flip-flop comes courtesy of two horribly ignorant rich old bastards who are out to settle the age-old nature vs. nurture argument. The initial role-reversal is lots of fun, but when Valentine and Winthorpe team up to exact some nasty financial revenge, things get exponentially funnier.
The leads are spot-on perfect, with Aykroyd capably handling the leading man role and Murphy hitting every punch line with uncanny success. As in all the best comedies, the supporting cast shines as if radioactive. Denholm Elliot is dry, droll, and quietly brilliant as a beleaguered manservant, Jamie Lee delivers one of her best comedic roles ever (second only to her turn in A Fish Called Wanda), and the ever-slimy Paul Gleason (The Breakfast Club) steals scenes whole as a devious corporate spy. The crown jewels of Trading Places come in the form of Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche, who portray the nefarious Duke Brothers with an almost palpable sense of evil glee.
As in most of his movies (even the classics), director Landis takes a few unnecessary detours (horny monkey = not funny) and the manic brokerage finale is more than a bit confusing. But why focus on a few stray misfires when the movie as a whole is an absolute delight?I’ll say thanks to Paramount to allowing me to add Trading Places to my beloved comedies shelf, but I smell a double-dip coming in a few years.
link directly to this review at http://www.efilmcritic.com/review.php?movie=985&reviewer=128
originally posted: 05/04/04 11:39:07
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USA
01-Jun-1983 (R)
DVD: 05-Jun-2007
UK
N/A
Australia
N/A
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