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Paramount Pictures
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They're not just getting rich... They're getting even.
A snobbish investor and a wily street con-artist find their positions reversed as part of a bet by two callous millionaires.
CinemaSerf
Oct 20, 2024 · via TMDB
I am not really a fan of Eddie Murphy, but with the help of Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche doing their own version of a more manipulative pairing akin to "Stadler and Waldorf", he delivers well here in this rather punchy comedy. Our two elderly gents are wealthy and employ "Winthorpe" (Dan Akyroyd) to run their business empire for them. He does well for them, makes them a fortune and himself lives the life of a millionaire in a mansion where he is pampered by butler "Coleman" (Denholm Elliott). Meantime, street-wise "Valentine" (Murphy) is constantly on the make and during an altercation with "Winthorpe" during which he is arrested, the two old buzzards come up with a wheeze to see if the think-on-your-feet merchant could do a better job than their incumbent. A bit of sleight of hand now sees the epitome of a reversal of fortune as "Valentine" unwittingly assumes the job of managing their business whilst his ill-equipped predecessor finds himself driven to some increasingly slapstick desperation. It's only when "Valentine" overhears the conspiring old goats reveal their true purpose that he decides that it's time for some more permanent reversal of fortune - only this time, well it's all about oranges and pork bellies. Murphy is on good form here, but for me it's Akyroyd - and his unlikely ally "Ophelia" (Jamie Lee Curtis) who steal the show as the writing delivers quite a few laugh out moments as well as swiping at some fairly odious attitudes of snobbery, bigotry and racism. Though he doesn't feature so much, Elliott also fares well as the butler - very much in the vein of Sir John Gielgud, and as the story gathers pace it becomes an entertaining character study of worms that turn, and turn again all set to a classy mix of old and new from the soundtrack.
Peter89Spencer
Dec 29, 2020 · via TMDB
Is it offensive? Very much. Is it worth watching? Absolutely. Is it funny as hell? Hell yeah! This classic OUTRAGEOUS comedy caper is the perfect holiday film to watch in between Christmas and New Year's Eve.
JPV852
Nov 26, 2020 · via TMDB
Seen this one numerous times over the years, not quite a laugh-out-loud riot or anything but still pretty funny throughout with great performances all around. Although their screen time together was mostly limited to the last 30-minutes, Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy were great as were Denholm Elliott and Jamie Lee Curtis (hot as hell). Also appreciate Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche as the pompous and terrible villains. **4.0/5**
John Chard
Dec 23, 2018 · via TMDB
The Prince and the Pauper with Eddie & Dan on sparkling form. Mortimer & Randolph Duke are two repugnantly rich brothers, they make a bet that sees the role reversal of top toff yuppie, Louis Winthorpe, and wise cracking street hustler bum, Billy Ray Valentine. That's about the strength of the films plot, yet it makes for a very funny film that crackles with glee due to it's excellently written script. Watching the respective characters rise and fall respectively creates laughs aplenty whilst asking the question of how we all would cope in similar circumstances? Sure the film does beat one over the head with its social message, we are in no doubt from the off about the gap between the rich and the poor, and yes the colour of a persons skin also rears its ugly head here to make this one of the more braver comedies of the 80s. Billy Ray Valentine (a brilliant dual performance from Eddie Murphy) is elevated up the social ladder, he becomes a force in industry, but as the progression enthrals him it also makes him aware that the things at the top end of the ladder aren't exactly stand up doings. Winthorpe (a perfectly casted Dan Ackroyd) drops further down the social ladder and resorts to behaviour that nobody from the upper echelons could ever have dreamed he would be capable of - it's only an encounter with prostitute Ophelia (Jamie Lee Curtis at the peak of her sexiness), and her good heart, that starts to see an upturn in his now dead bottom fortunes. The gags come thick and fast, both verbally (Murphy on fire) and visually, as the film sees the whole cast fusing together to create a cracking comedy. Come the denouement on Wall Street we are privy to a joyous and savage turn of events that ice the clever Christmas cake we have just digested. It does have an 80s sheen about it, and viewing now in post 9/11 times it's got a tint of nostalgia value to it, but really it's all about the script, the stars and a kick in the eye for those who think nothing of treading on the people below them, enjoy. 8/10
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
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Dan Aykroyd
Louis Winthorpe III
Eddie Murphy
Billy Ray Valentine
Ralph Bellamy
Randolph Duke
Don Ameche
Mortimer Duke
Denholm Elliott
Coleman
Jamie Lee Curtis
Ophelia
Paul Gleason
Clarence Beeks
Frank Oz
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Bill Cobbs
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Jacques Sandulescu
Creepy Man
Kelly Curtis
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Philip Bosco
Doctor
Stephen Stucker
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Wilson
John Randolph Jones
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Bernie McInerney
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Ralph Clanton
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Bryan Clark
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Gary Klar
Longshoreman
Afemo Omilami
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Barry Dennen
Demitri
Benjean
Stray Dog (uncredited)
John Black
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John Landis
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Charles Pendelton
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Arleen Sorkin
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Marlene Willoughby
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Deborah Nadoolman Landis
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John Landis
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Bonnie Timmermann
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George Folsey Jr.
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
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Elmer Bernstein
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Charles L. Campbell
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Jun 7, 1983
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Bicara Cinta
2020
The Pied Pipers of Harlow
1965
Sign in to vote
Battle your watched movies head-to-head
Community Top Movies
Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
Halloween
1978 · 13 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Halloween II
1981 · 11 wins
Trivia
Leaderboard →Playing as a guest — sign in to save your score and rank on the leaderboard.
Movie Trivia
Guess the movie from a clue — tagline, plot, cast and more. Pick from four posters.
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