Tuesday, 22 October 2013

Trading Places - review

Dan Akroyd & Eddie Murphy star in this comedy as complete opposites whose lives are swapped by 2 wealthy bankers for a $1 bet.

Louis Winthorpe III is a wealthy banker who lives the high life and is well respected at work whereas Billy Ray Valentine is a homeless chancer who will do anything to make a quick buck.

In an attempt to escape cops after pretending to be disabled, Billy Ray makes his way into the rich club where bankers attend and bumps into Louis where he is quickly accused of attempting to steal his briefcase and is arrested. While he is taken away Louis launches into a tirade about those less fortunate than himself which gives his bosses – brothers Randolph & Mortimer – an idea.

With Billy Ray in jail with no hope of bail, they make a bet between them to see if anyone given the chance – no matter what background – can make it as a successful gentleman in the investment world and decide to get him out of jail and give him a chance.

As they arrange for Louis to be fired, broke & homeless, Billy Ray is swiftly moved into Louis’ house and with the butler on board, Billy is welcomed into a life of luxury – a life he is quick to embrace, although he is sceptical of the brother’s motive.

Out on the streets Louis can’t believe his change in fortune, but when he makes friends with streetwise hooker Ophelia (Jamie Lee Curtis) who provides him with a bed for the night, he is determined to get his life back.

With Billy Ray thriving in his new role, Randolph & Mortimer have no concerns about Louis and the situation they put him in, but when Louis and Billy Ray discover that their lives were swapped for a bet and the brother’s amusement, they pull together in order to get their own back and in the process take the bankers for everything they’ve got.

An enjoyable 80’s comedy – worth a watch.

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