Trading Places

Name: Trading Places
Genre: Comedy
Released: June 8, 1983
Duration: 118 min
Rating: 69
Cast: Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy

1983

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 10 Critics

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 83 Ratings

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8.5

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8.5	User Score Universal acclaim based on 83 Ratings

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Trading Places

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: June 8, 1983

Starring: Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy

Summary: Billy Ray Valentine (Murphy), a street con man and Louis Winthorpe III, a commodities broker (Aykroyd) agree to trade places after monied Mortimer Duke (Ameche) bets Billy Ray could pull in more money than Louis could on the streets.

Director: John Landis

Genre(s): Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 118 min

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Awards & Rankings

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Chicago Tribune - Gene Siskel

It's the funniest new movie on town. [July 22, 1983]

Boston Globe - Jay Carr

It's easily the best of the movies I've seen by the various "Saturday Night Live" alumni, and part of the reason it's funny and satisfying is that it doesn't strain. [09 Jun 1983]

Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert

But what's most visible in the movie is the engaging acting. Murphy and Aykroyd are perfect foils for each other. Read full review

Time - Richard Schickel

[Murphy] makes Trading Places something more than a good-hearted comedy. He turns it into an event. Read full review

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) - Matthew Fraser

Trading Places, which is wildly funny at times, is Murphy's film. [10 Jun 1983]

TV Guide Magazine - Ethan Alter

Although it tends to rely heavily on slapstick in the second half, the movie provides plenty of laughs and is one of director Landis's best efforts. Read full review

Chicago Reader - Dave Kehr

Director John Landis is so deficient in basic storytelling skills that he must spend hours explicating the most elementary plot points while and Murphy are sidelined. Read full review

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User Reviews

FranzHcritic

Apr 29, 2015

I enjoyed it throughout. The two leads, (Eddie Murphy the standout), make good chemistry as scientific experiments at the whims of two conniving billionaires. The writing flows and the film never ceases to be mundane or bland like many comedies I know. Where has Eddie Murphy gone now? AndI enjoyed it throughout. The two leads, (Eddie Murphy the standout), make good chemistry as scientific experiments at the whims of two conniving billionaires. The writing flows and the film never ceases to be mundane or bland like many comedies I know. Where has Eddie Murphy gone now? And Dan Akroyd. They were so talented, and this is a prime example of it.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

PatC.

Jun 14, 2007

The ease in which the hilarity oozes from this movie obscures its greater achievement, which is the deft way it presents its plot. It takes a broad spectrum of characters and plays them off each other in a merciless mix of outrageousness and serious restriant. This is textbook on how to The ease in which the hilarity oozes from this movie obscures its greater achievement, which is the deft way it presents its plot. It takes a broad spectrum of characters and plays them off each other in a merciless mix of outrageousness and serious restriant. This is textbook on how to tell a story. Top drawer comedy.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

alejandro970

Dec 10, 2017

A sort of updating of The prince and the pauper with brilliant Dan Ackroyd and Eddie Murphy in his first and best comedies. The intro sequence showing the chiaroscuros of Philadelphia is for anthology. One of best Christmas movies of ever.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Spangle

Jul 2, 2013

This comedy succeeds where most comedies fail; it has a plot while also providing laughs. Its sole purpose was to not just provide cheap laughs, but to also tell a story. Murphy and Aykroyd were both good in their roles and overall, I enjoyed this movie a lot.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DuckNation

May 25, 2014

Trading Places is such a great movie i dont see how this is not rated higher here on listal. Its really one of the only watchable Wall Street movies as most of them are rather boring but this with its different take on it and making it a comedy was a nice change and it pays off. Dan AykroydTrading Places is such a great movie i dont see how this is not rated higher here on listal. Its really one of the only watchable Wall Street movies as most of them are rather boring but this with its different take on it and making it a comedy was a nice change and it pays off. Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy play off each other very well and their comedy was pure gold like when Aykroyd is on the train dressed as Santa eating the fish drunk as hell and Murphy when throwing away all the drugs and talking bad about them ends up taking a joint and smoking it later those two parts are just a few of many great moments in the movie. Jamie Lee Curtis as a hooker was funny and she did have a pretty great body back then also Paul Gleason again does a great job being a big A-hole he is like that in all his movies he is just too good at it. I think the best thing about this movie is that it all comes down to frozen orange juice its just so random.

Overall i give it a 7.7 This is one of the movies i never get tired of watching its just that great of a movie… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TrilobiteG

Dec 4, 2015

A serviceable comedy about morals and social standards which doesn't give away any exhausting laughter but a few admirable chuckles. It's good intentions still are dragged down by it's slow pace and a slight tinge of unsatisfying character arcs.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Will

Sep 2, 2011

Many of the jokes fail and those that are funny are played out far too long. Nothing is done to make the "wrongfully accused" cliche more believable. There are a couple great scenes, and Aykroyd and Murphy both try hard, but their characters almost never interact with each other. Wasted potential.

0 of 9 users found this helpful09

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