Trading Places

With the Christmas season upon us and these, how shall we say, dark economic times ahead, it would do well to take a second look at this old classic TRADING PLACES. I'm sure the story is well known to you....on a bet two brothers destroy the life of an affluent commodities trader while bringing a street person in to the life of high finance. Eddie Murphy, in only his second feature film role, and Dan Aykroyd bang out some fine work here and with the help of a stellar support cast under the direction of John Landis TRADING PLACES more than easily stands the weathers of time. It is one case where tagging the whole Christmas aspect to the project actually works and I was stunned on a recent viewing to see just how much Billy Bob Thronton lifted from Aykroyd's presentation as a drunken St. Nick for his role in BAD SANTA. The pervert in me would be remiss if I didn't Jamie Lee Curtis seems to enjoy flashing the audience in this one but yet again ups the game with her on screen work and be sure to keep your eyes open for the great Bo Diddley in a fantastic cameo.