Louis Winthorpe III is a successful Philadelphia commodity broker with a mansion, manservant and fiancee. Billy Ray Valentine is a hustling beggar con man. Winthorpe's employers, the elderly Duke brothers, make a bet that by switching the lifestyle of the two, Billy Ray will make good becoming a respectable businessman and their man, Winthorpe, will take to a life of crime. Suddenly Louis finds himself uncomprehendingly with no job after being accused of theft, no home and only a new acquaintance, glamorous hooker Ophelia, prepared to help him. Valentine now has a lovely establishment, a servant and limo, a grand paycheck and a respectable job. However, the two catch wind of the Duke's bet and set out to get their own back. This is an amazing original comedy featuring two of my favourite comedic actors who definitely made it the joyful viewing it is: Dan Aykroyd as Louis Winthorpe III and Eddie Murphy as Billy Ray Valentine. The two are incredibly funny and share their comedic moments equally throughout, having some great ones together too. Not only do these two bring the film to life but also Denholm Elliott, as Coleman the butler and Jamie Lee Curtis, as Ophelia the hooker who helps out Louis. The two have some amazing scenes too and help out in the revenge on the Dukes. This is also another underrated Christmas movie, from the 80s. This is certainly one of my favourites that I watch each festive season. The film takes place during Christmas which can be seen throughout from trees to decorations and snow. One day Winthorpe bumps into Valentine who is apologetic, trying to hand him back his dropped briefcase when Louis accuses him of robbing him, shouting for the police. He is chased through the building where the Dukes see the ordeal and decide to make a bet to switch their places and see if they would adjust to the opposite lifestyles. Here we see Louis accused of theft, humiliated, kicked out of his house, rejected by his fiancee and losing his money and cards. Valentine meanwhile, is given Louis' house, butler, job and is brought into the higher end of society and wealth. At first, he uses his wealth to give out money and have parties before changing into a real businessman, as the Dukes intended. This opening part of the film is a clever comedy showing the greed and misuse of power and wealth. We see Winthorpe resort to a life of crime of stealing and threatening Ray with a gun. Concluding the bet we find out that the Dukes betted a messed up amount to ruin a man's life and now plan to swap them back but, little did they know, they were overheard by Valentine. After telling Winthorpe, the two make their move to ruin them in a typical revenge plot fashion. It is however shown confusingly during the trading floor scene that I had a hard time following since I don't know a great deal about the trade market, but I'm not the only one. As before stated, the actors drive this film but I think my favourite has to be Eddie Murphy as Billy Ray Valentine. Despite being his second film, following 48 Hrs. (1982), this was a huge boost to his fame and career. He is hilarious from the get-go and as he acquires his power, his original ways and humour never leave. The best scene in the film has to be the train sequence, where they try to stop Beeks, who is delivering the Dukes a secret report illegally on the state of the market. The scene where they go in disguised is so funny because of how confused and unamused Beeks is. When he catches onto them swapping his briefcase he tries to stop them which then leads to that infamous Gorilla scene. If you know, then enough said. Overall, this is a fantastically brilliant comedy that is still relevant and stands the test of time. It has a well-rounded cast, crazy antics, a bit of dark humour, some nudity and some festive cheer. Also, who doesn't want some dreadful old millionaires get their just reward in a splendid revenge plot? It is certainly one of a kind and very classic 80s that is great viewing.
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