Trading Places - Grade: A- PDF

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A Review of the film "trading places"...

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Trading Places

Film Analysis Assignment Traevon Bohannon Johnson & Wales University

SOC3025

Professor DeJesus

Abstract

Trading Places

This paper aims to serve as an analysis of the classic film “Trading Places” starring Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd as two men whose socioeconomic and racial status stands in direct contrast trading places with one another. With this paper, I hope to uncover the overall theme of the film, compare and contrast the differences between the characters and analyze how the movie deals with said differences.

Trading Places: A Film Analysis

“Of course there’s something wrong with him. He’s a negro! Probably been stealing since

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he could crawl.” When I first saw the film “Trading Places” this line had gotten me beat red in the face with anger. I couldn’t believe what I had heard, I even played it back about three or four times to make sure that I had heard it correctly. Certainly enough, each and every time I fast forward and rewind the film, the line never changed but as I continued watching something changed in me that opened my eyes and shifted my perspective. I had soon realized I had reacted exactly how the movie wanted me to, I over reacted. Trading Places is a movie that cuts deep and pulls no punches. It chews up political correctness, and spits it back out allowing the viewer to get an honest look at its main characters.

According to IMDB, Trading Places is classified as an American comedy film. However, Director John Landis urges his audience to to look beyond the hilarity to allow themselves to truly see what in my opinion is the true genius of this film. Trading Places centers around two individuals who are from opposite ends of a social hierarchy. Billy Ray Valentine, a poor street hustler; and opposite of Billy Ray is Louis Winthorpe III, a man who some would say has “everything” - money, cars, a lovely fiance. Normally, two people this spread apart would never cross paths, but a chance encounter enables both men to get a closer look at one another's circumstances to truly understand the others position in society.

Duke brothers Randolph and Mortimer own a successful commodities brokerage in Philadelphia, which Louis works for. Holding opposing views on the issue of nature versus nurture (Randolph for nature, while Mortimer supports nature), they make a wager and agree to conduct an experiment switching the lives of two people at opposite sides of societies spectrum. After viewing the interaction between Billy Ray and Louis which saw Valentine arrested at Winthorpe's insistence because of a suspected “robbery attempt” (which Winthorpe greatly exaggerates). The Dukes decide to use the two men for their experiment. But, the very foundation of the Duke's’ wager has a major flaw, the playing field for both men isn’t leveled. Valentine can never have the advantages of Winthorpe. On the most basic level, he’s a black man in the ‘80s and will encounter prejudice at every turn. Inversely, Winthorpe doesn’t have any street smarts. He has never had to hustle, a buck out of a citizen, or even drive for himself. Winthorpe is publicly framed as a thief,/drug dealer, fired from Duke & Duke, his bank accounts are frozen, he is denied entry to his Duke-owned home, and he quickly finds himself vilified by his fiance Penelope and his former friends. Simultaneously, the Dukes bail Valentine out of jail, install him in Winthorpe's former job and grant him use of Winthorpe's home.

Trading Places does what it sets out to be originally; it is a very funny movie filled with imaginative humor drawing on the two main characters(mostly Louis) trying to adapt to their new environments. However, under the jokes, Trading Places is a film that portrays the differences between two men with contrasting socio-economic statuses and attacks the racial prejudice of the 1980’s head on. Through its two main characters, the film aims to teach its audience the power of difference and how it plays a pivotal role in our society.

With Randolph and Mortimer vying for Valentine and Winthorpe respectively, our story

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unwinds even further. At first resorting to his old habits and not believing all that he is being given, Valentine begins to attempt to steal items from his new house until the Dukes remind him that he would only be stealing from himself. From then forward, Valentine soon becomes well versed in the business using his street smarts to achieve success, and begins to act well mannered, adapting to his surroundings. Meanwhile, things aren't looking too hot for Mortimer’s boy Winthorpe. At first, Winthorpe attempts with all of his being to regain his riches, but after numerous failed attempts he gives up nearly all hope and caves to his environment, becoming a hardened product of the streets.

This film is upfront with the differences, using it to draw distinction between its two main characters. The movie opens with us being introduced to Winthorpe and Valentine going about their daily morning rituals. Winthorpe is awoken, dressed, and driven to work by his Servant Coleman. When Winthorpe walks into his job, he is greeted by everyone in sight, which plays into his ego and pompous attitude. Inversely, when we are introduced to Valentine already involved in his morning routine; portraying himself as a blind legless veteran to try and get pitty money out of anyone who will listen to his “story”, simply trying to survive. The introduction alone sets the stage for the eventual switch in the movie. Valentine knows what it takes to survive, he uses the same instincts which helped him survive the streets to maneuver his way around the business world, while Winthorpe has no instinct to fall back on, all he’s ever had is his life of luxury; He is lost without his riches. Amidst the plot there is yet another layer of difference that Valentine has to face, the color of his skin. Before and after the switch event occurs Valentine is underestimated because he is an African American. When having things explained to him, they try to dumb it down to his “level”, insulting his intellect. He is the brunt of generalizations (“people like this are a menace to society”), accused of crime, and seen as inferior. From the beginning, it's as if Valentine has to start off with one hand tied behind his back. Not only is he unprepared for the business world, his own race is a limiter to his success.

This film doesn't sugar coat anything at all. It’s narrative is very clear, and it reveals its differences to the audience without having to make them analyze too deep into the plot. In my interpretation of the film, Trading Places aims to educate the audience and open their eyes to their daily lives. It allows those watching step into the shoes of Valentine and Winthorpe on their journeys and apply the lessons they learn to themselves. Watching the film myself, I often wondered how I would react in each of their situations. When faced with an opportunity like Valentine, would I rise to the occasion and surpass everyone's expectations of me? Or would I stick to what I know and make an ass of myself. If I lost everything I have in life in a matter of a few hours, like Winthorpe, would I be able to keep my head afloat and fall back on some sort of instinct to try to make it through the hardships that lie ahead or would I follow in the footsteps of Winthorpe and succumb to the unfamiliar territory of homelessness and fall off the deep end hoping to clutch onto my old luxurious way of living. Trading Places wants you to analyze your current circumstances to realize that life is a very fragile thing. It can be loving and rewarding or cruel and unforgiving, it's all in the perspective. The audience is urged to look around and appreciate all they have, because it all can be taken away. The film wants the viewer to look

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through the eyes of our main characters and decide “What would I do?” Believe it or not, film plays a very integral part in our society. Film has an uncanny ability to bend a person's emotions at their will and evoke whichever feeling it wishes, whether it's laughter during a comedy, fear in an intense thriller, or love during a romantic film. I bet when you read the genres I listed above, you probably thought of a film that evoked that emotion from you when you read it. Think about those films again. Each of those movies triggered something inside of you that left a lasting impression on you that you’ll always remember and make a connection with throughout the rest of your life. We connect with the things we see on screen and apply the aspects we view to our everyday lives. That is the power that film holds. Without a doubt, issues of human difference touched upon in film provide a positive contribution towards the betterment of the human race. The beauty of a film is that it can take the trials and tribulations & justices and injustices of a certain social sector and highlight it, essentially allowing that issue or difference to step on a soapbox and allow the whole world to see it. A film like Trading Places allows viewers to step into two completely different worlds, impoverished and wealthy, then lets the viewers grow and evolve with the characters as the roles are reversed. Film, in my eyes is a CRUCIAL part of our society. It tugs on the heartstrings of its viewers, allowing them to step into another world, challenges them to question their own, and allows them to see human differences they otherwise could go oblivious to in their everyday lives. Film has power.

Trading Places was and still is a film that is brash and in your face. It is a tale of two men coming from two totally different worlds swapping places and in turn trying to survive despite the switch up. The more time they spend in the reversed roles, the more characters grow and evolve. After all is said and done, Winthorpe learns to appreciate all that he has, remembering that it all can be taken away from him in the blink of an eye. Valentine grows to appreciate his humble beginnings and all that his hardships had taught him during his troubled life. This film ultimately sets out exactly what I interpret its message to be; to make the viewers wonder if they appreciate all that they have, monetary and cognitive and place themselves in the main character's shoes and just imagine what they would do. Trading Places in my eyes is a true testament to the power of film. It made me laugh, it made me question myself, and it allowed me to shift perspectives. Film plays a vital part in our social world and if given the opportunity can leave a positive contribution to its viewers lives. References Smith, Robert (July 12, 2013). "What Actually Happens At The End Of 'Trading Places'?". All Things Considered. Planet Money (NPR). Trading Places. (n.d.). Retrieved April 20, 2016, from imdb.com/title/tt0086465/? ref_=ttgf_gf_tt

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Budd, David (2002). "Classic Encounters of Black on White". Culture Meets Culture in the Movies: an Analysis East, West, North, and South, With Filmographies. McFarland & Company. p. 210....