Classic 80s Movie: “Trading Places”
Today’s Classic 80s Movie guest post comes from Arlene.
Movie Title: Trading Places
Year: 1983
Writers: Herschel Weingrod, Timothy Harris
Lead Actors: Dan Akyroyd, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Lee Curtis, Denholm Elliot, Ralph Bellamy, Don Ameche.
Director: John Landis.
Plot Summary: When two millionaires wager on a whim, a snobbish investor and a down-and-out fraudster find their roles reversed, in an experiment of nature versus nurture.
Why I Think This Is A Classic 80s Movie: The movie is anchored in the 80s between flashdance fashions, the battlefield of the trading pit, and the seemingly impenetrable social hierarchies.
Trading Places to me is not just a classic 80s movie, but a classic movie.
Last night I watched it for the first time on a big screen. The film is as fresh as ever, with the audience shocked, gasping, and laughing, as if seeing it for the first time.
The sympathetic characters are true to themselves, till the bitter end. Even the baddies engender a certain sympathy, including the brotherly, nemesis duo of Randolph and Mortimer (see the scene of Randolph’s heart attack).
I’ve often thought fate is largely predetermined by your place of birth, the opportunities presented to you, and that the distance from the penthouse to the pavement is not that far.
Trading Places, in the guise of baddies Randolph and Mortimer, stirs this argument. I think the film presents the case that whilst environment counts for a lot, it entertainingly counters that when people are presented with equal opportunities, nature will out in the end. Randolph did win the wager after all.
And Coleman imparts what to me seems a great piece of advice on Valentine’s first day in the job:
Billy Ray Valentine: What if I can’t do this job, Coleman? What if I’m not what they expected?
Coleman: Just be yourself, sir. Whatever happens, they can’t take that away from you.
For being specific to its time, and transcending time with its themes, and of course being immensely funny, I consider Trading Places a classic movie.
My Favorite Moment(s) In The Movie:
Louis’ release from prison and Ophelia’s practical joke.
Louis Winthorpe III hitting rock bottom, when even suicide doesn’t work (echoes in episode one, Breaking Bad anyone?).
Louis’ awakening, turning the dream trope on its head; it wasn’t just a dream á la Scrooge.
Billy Ray Valentine breaking the fourth wall during the explanation of Pork Bellies.
Billy Ray imaginatively concealing his activities in the cubicles.
Ophelia and Coleman placing their trust in Louis and Valentine before they march into battle.
Gorilla love.
Most disgusting moment: Bored bus passengers jaws dropping, as Santa gorges on smoked salmon, with a side accompaniment of his filthy beard.
My Favorite Dialogue In the Movie:
Louis Winthorpe III (awakening from his overdose): It was a dream, I dreamt the whole thing. It was just a bad dream.
Coleman: Good Morning, sir. Merry Christmas.
Louis Winthorpe III: Coleman! I’ve had the most absurd nightmare. I was poor and no one liked me.
Key Things You Should Look For When Watching This Movie: Bystander reactions.
Whilst the comic timing and acting is impeccable, it’s the reactions of onlookers that often provide the comedy. I would go so far as to say there are no minor roles in this film, every character has a starring role, right down to the gorilla.
Screenwriting Trivia: Trading Places is 30 years old this year.
Dan Akyroyd, in an interview in August, had this to say about screenwriters Weingrod and Harris: “We didn’t improvise much, they wrote a very solid script, and then we didn’t really hear from them after that, so I wonder where those guys are today.”
I wonder?
Reversing roles in society? Now that’s high concept.
Thanks, Arlene! To show our gratitude for your guest post, here’s a dash of creative juju for you. Whoosh!
Tomorrow: Another Classic 80s Movie!
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