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

Trading Places
Trading Places