Trading Places (1983)

I'm not sure if it's a compliment any more for a film to be labelled a classic comedy, but in the eighties it was, and Trading Places was one of them. A smart story, combined with deft casting and the raw comedic talent of the prime of the decade (remember when these guys were funny?) saw one of the most influential comedies of our times.

Dan Aykroyd is wonderfully clueless and innocent as a successful broker bouncing optimistically from one disaster to another towards a bottomless pit, whereas Murphy brings the Ghetto to Wall Street without making it seem forced. At his best, Landis is great at spicing his films with fantastic cameos and small parts. Paul Gleason is definitely worthy of a mention in that respect. With an evil smirk and flickering eyes he takes great pride in picking Aykroyd's life apart whilst walking unnecessarily into all pedestrians, to much merriment.The pairing of Bellamy and Ameche is also outstanding and they light up the screen whenever given the chance.

Landis usually adds a little moral in his flicks, and here most of it is aptly carried out by Denholm Elliot, the brilliant butler. Delivered in just small enough doses not to get preachy. Though the concept is far fetched Aykroyd and Murphy, helped by Landis and a good script, somehow manage to make it work. For all the clever turns and great actors, the comedy must not be forgotten. There are some delightful moments here, exampled by the dirty Santa stealing nice foods before trying to frame Murphy. A hilarious scene made all the better by Aykroyd strutting his stuff in glee after waving his gun and experiencing power again, although accomplishing absolutely nothing. The following Santa-scene where he eats through his scruffy beard on the subway, gets pissed on by a dog and has a misfire when trying to kill himself while it simultaneously starts to pour down is just misery in so many layers it is disturbingly (at least a shrink would think so) hilarious. There are many reasons why this is considered a comedy classic, though the safest sign is how much has been stolen/borrowed in later movies. If you dislike this comedy, your idea of a classic in that genre is most likely something starring Steve Carrel or *shudder* a recent Eddie Murphy.

8/10