TRADING PLACES (1983, USA, 116m, 15) ****
Comedy
dist. Paramount Pictures (USA), United International Pictures (UIP) (UK); pr co. Cinema Group Ventures / Paramount Pictures; d. John Landis; w. Timothy Harris, Herschel Weingrod; pr. Aaron Russo; ph. Robert Paynter (Technicolor | 1.85:1); m. Elmer Bernstein; ed. Malcolm Campbell; pd. Gene Rudolf.
cast: Eddie Murphy (Billy Ray Valentine), Dan Aykroyd (Louis Winthorpe III), Ralph Bellamy (Randolph Duke), Don Ameche (Mortimer Duke), Denholm Elliott (Coleman), Jamie Lee Curtis (Ophelia), Paul Gleason (Clarence Beeks), Jim Belushi (Harvey), Al Franken (Baggage Handler #1), Frank Oz (Corrupt Cop), Robert Curtis Brown (Todd), Giancarlo Esposito (Cellmate #2), Bill Cobbs (Bartender), Bo Diddley (Pawnbroker), Philip Bosco (Doctor), Avon Long (Ezra), Nicholas Guest (Harry), John Bedford Lloyd (Andrew), Tony Sherer (Philip), Kristin Holby (Penelope Witherspoon).
This smart and old-fashioned madcap comedy with elements of social satire sees upper-crust executive Louis Winthorpe III (Aykroyd) and down-and-out hustler Billy Ray Valentine (Murphy) subjects of a bet by successful brokers Mortimer (Ameche) and Randolph Duke (Bellamy). The Dukes frame their employee Winthorpe for a crime he didn’t commit and install the street-smart Valentine in his position. When Winthorpe and Valentine uncover the scheme, they set out to turn the tables on the Dukes. Riffing on themes from Mark Twain’s “The Prince and the Pauper” with a topical contemporary stockbroker setting, Harris and Weingrod’s witty script gives Aykroyd and Murphy much to get their teeth into playing to their strengths and the pair deliver energetic comic performances. They are ably supported by the droll Elliott and effervescent Curtis. A tad extended for a comedy at nearly two hours, but the characters do not outstay their welcome and the laughs come at regular intervals.
AAN: Best Music, Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Best Adaptation Score (Elmer Bernstein)
