Trading Places (1983)

Trading Places (1983)

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“Breeding, Randolph — same as racehorses; it’s in the blood.”

Synopsis:
Corrupt millionaires Randolph (Ralph Bellamy) and Mortimer (Don Ameche) Duke plot to reverse the fortunes of a hustling black con-artist (Eddie Murphy) and a privileged white stock broker (Dan Aykroyd) — all for the sake of a one-dollar bet about nature versus nurture.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • Big Business
  • Comedy
  • Dan Aykroyd Films
  • Denholm Elliott Films
  • Don Ameche Films
  • Eddie Murphy Films
  • Homeless
  • John Landis Films
  • Living Nightmare
  • Millionaires
  • Race Relations
  • Ralph Bellamy Films

Response to Peary’s Review:
Peary writes that this “very funny modern-day Prince and the Pauper variation” — directed by John Landis, and scripted by Timothy Harris and Herschel Weingrod — remains a “sweet-tempered screwball comedy in the finest tradition of those memorable social satires of the thirties and forties”. He points out that Landis “borrows from Capra (the triumph of the little man over rich, corrupt robber barons) [and] Preston Sturges (a poor man’s fortunes can change overnight), and adds a dash of absurd humor that is characteristic of his own comedies and the work of his two stars”. He notes that while the film is ostensibly about the triumph of “environment over heredity”, it is “actually about loyalty, faith, and respect within friendships”, which are “the major determining factors in how a person winds up”.

The cast members here are all at the top of their game. Murphy (early in his career) is both infectiously charismatic and consistently hilarious, while Aykroyd is appropriately priggish as his entitled yet ultimately sympathetic foil. Supporting the comedic protagonists are Jamie Lee Curtis (playing an archetypal “kind-hearted prostitute”), who projects just the right mix of moxie and casual sexiness; Denholm Elliott (as the distressed butler bullied into turning against his employer, Aykroyd), who invests his minor role with significance; and Bellamy and Ameche (how fun it is to see these veterans on screen together!), who project hiss-worthy villainy. [Kudos to the screenwriters for not shying away from presenting their venally racist attitudes.] Despite the silly appearance of men in gorilla suits late in the game (a personal pet peeve with comedies), Trading Places remains a “true crowd-pleaser” and a cult favorite, one you’ll almost certainly enjoy revisiting.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • Fine performances by the entire cast


  • Excellent use of authentic Philadelphia locales

  • A smart, witty script

Must See?
Yes, as a cult comedy favorite.

Categories

  • Cult Movie

Links:

One thought on “Trading Places (1983)”

  1. Not must-see.

    I had not seen this in a long time and had largely forgotten it. I was, therefore, anticipating a rather enjoyable return visit. Seeing it again, I find it mildly diverting in a slick, commercial way – which is fine but, for my taste, it’s a little tame. Of course, the fact that it reads as tame to me is more or less perfectly in keeping with its Capra and Sturges influences. And that kind of homage was apparently enough for mainstream audiences upon its release, since it was a huge hit (I believe). Many average ffs will be less demanding on the film than I have turned out to be (and for those in that camp, this would therefore be must-see stuff). I just personally wish those involved in the project had played it a little less ‘safe’. I would have been much happier if the material leaned more toward black comedy. (And I think it would have created more of a tension if director Landis had encouraged his cast to play the situation as real instead of as a cartoon. Part of the charm of comedies of this type is most often found when we are more invested in the characters because they are being presented as real in a very unreal situation.)

    That said, I can’t really fault the actors – who all still turn in delightful performances.

    There is one existing element in the script that does have a satisfying dark edge: the fact that two filthy rich men decide they can toy with anyone on a whim…and add huge insult to injury by doing it all for a dollar. That’s evil. (Not that Bellamy and Ameche *play* it up as evil, but that’s an example of how effective the film might have been, had things been painted a little more black.)

    I also think the film is a little long: the exposition seems a little slow and the wrap-up seems to go on more than it should. All told, it’s a pleasant way to spend two hours but it doesn’t stand-out to me as sharply and memorably as some of the classic screwball comedies that apparently inspired it.

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