- Language English
- Classification: 15
- Studio: Paramount
- VHS Release Date: 19 Mar 2001
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B000059ZC2
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 19,637 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
In this crowd-pleasing 1983 comedy of high finance about a homeless con artist who becomes a Wall Street robber baron, Eddie Murphy consolidated the success of his startling debut in the previous year's 48 Hours and polished his slick-winner persona. The turnabout begins with an argument between super-rich siblings, played by Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche: are captains of industry, they wonder, born or made? To settle the issue, the meanies construct a cruel experiment in social Darwinism. Preppie commodities trader Dan Aykroyd (perfectly cast) is stripped of all his worldly goods and expelled from the firm, and Murphy's smelly derelict is appointed to take his place, graduating to tailored suits and a world-class harem in record time. Eventually the two men team up to teach the nasty old manipulators a lesson, cornering the market in frozen orange juice futures in the process. Director John Landis (The Blues Brothers) doesn't have the world's lightest touch, but he hits most of the jokes hard and quite a few of them pay off. Trading Places is also a landmark film for fans of Jamie Lee Curtis. --David Chute, Amazon.com
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Right from the opening credits, this film shows quality. It stands above other comedies due to the lack of filler material - every line is memorable. The cast is great; the two leads make the most of their characters (both as brokers and bums) but never overstep the mark, thanks partly to the tight editing. The plot becomes a little bizarre, but by that time you're already hooked, and the ending of the film is pure joy. To my mind, no recent comedy has been this good; it mixes high and low brow jokes without resorting to toilet humour, it doesn't pull any punches (spot the social commentary), the performances are masterful and the script achieves depth without sacrificing the one-liners or slowing the pace.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
One of the greatest comedies from the 1980's. Aykroyd plays the role of the elitist snob with perfection, and Murphy's urban mannerisms are dead on. This edition does not contain any juicy extras, but the sharp digital picture makes the movie more enjoyable.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The film revolves around Randolph and Mortimer Duke, two incredibly rich speculators who operate on the derivatives market (when this film was made (1983) the futures market was still in its infancy, and you can learn a lot about the business from the film!)
They have a debate - not a new debate, but a thorny one nonetheless : is ability inherent in the way you are brought up (i.e. nuture), or is it inherent in your breeding (i.e. nature). They decide on a little experiment.... enter our two heroes.
Eddie Murphy plays a down and out, living on the streets, doing what he can to survive. Dan Ackroyd plays a futures broker, rich, successful, a huge house and butler, and a beautiful wife. Randolph and Mortimer decide to swap them (with the help of a unsavoury private eye named Clarence Beaks played superbly by Paul Gleason). Eddie becomes the high flying futures broker, and Dan becomes the down and out. As you can imagine, hilarity ensues!
There are many other reasons to watch this film, including superb performances from the likes of Don Ameche and the sadly departed Denholm Elliot, and of course the gorgeous Jamie Lee Curtis ensuring interest rises by revealing her assets (sorry - couldn't resist the banking pun).
PS : For those wonder how the Dukes turn out after the film, don't worry too much; watch Coming To America to see an inspired cameo!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Trading Places
my mum thought this film was incredibly funny, every time when she goes to bed she always watch it, delivery was fast and the pricing was really cheap! thanks very much!!!
Published 19 days ago by S. Gallighan
looking good louis
This such a brilliantly funny timeless movie - jam packed with absolutely brilliant re-usable lines - check it out again
Published 23 days ago by SE STEVENSON
Ahmwoonanawoonanawoonana-huh!
Mark Twain's The Prince and the Pauper has seen many incarnations from Disney to The Simpsons. But none have been as cruel (and funny) and John Landis' Trading Places, which proves... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Inspector Gadget
greatly helped by Jamie Lee Curtis
Though this movie is all about Murphy and Ackroyd, one would be a fool not to see that it is Jamie Lee Curtis' performance as a level headed prostitute that raises the bar in this... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Colonel Decker
Brilliant film!
this has always been a favourite film of mine so finally decided to have it to keep on dvd, fabulous 80s film with great cast, very, very funny.
Published 2 months ago by Marvin
Superb Blu Ray Transfer of A True Classic
I'm not going to review the film, no need to.
The region free transfer breaths new life into this 25 year old movie, it's sharp (but not too sharp!). Read more
The region free transfer breaths new life into this 25 year old movie, it's sharp (but not too sharp!). Read more
Published 4 months ago by Paul Chapman
BEEF JERKY TIME
I have seen this film many many times and it never fails to make me laugh.
One of the very few Eddie Murphy films I actually like! Read more
One of the very few Eddie Murphy films I actually like! Read more
Published 6 months ago by PandaBear
TRADING PLACES...CLASSIC
This superb comedy from John Landis-(An American WereWolf in London, Blues Brothers, Into the Night), Starring Dan Ackroyd and then about to become a World Event-Eddie... Read more
Published 8 months ago by sam lowry
trading places
excellent quality excellent service worth all ive invested in. i couldnt ask for a better service and say ..keep up the good work
Published 9 months ago by kevin
Delight from start to finish
This is pure 1980s comedy gold. You will already know the 'rags to riches' and 'riches to rags' story by either having seen this classic or by having read other viewers comments. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Greek Islander
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