Eddie Murphy is celebrating a few milestones with two of his classic hits from Paramount getting the Blu-Ray anniversary release. Trading Places arrives with a special 35th anniversary edition and Coming to America lands with its own 30th anniversary Blu-Ray.
Both flicks share more than simply being two Murphy films that feature the actor during the height of his cinematic comedy career. Trading Places and Coming to America were both directed by classic comedy helmer John Landis (Animal House).
Their connection also is fascinating in that each takes the fish out of water approach to comedy and stretches it to its limit in manners that not only produce a slew of LOL moments, but achieve that feat in a way that is heartwarming and delivers a powerful message about us as a society. That mirror to our world was extremely fitting for 1983 (Trading Places) and 1988 (Coming to America). What’s utterly fascinating is that both classics’ inward look at America is still timely. The USA landscape has changed a bit, sure, but there have not been wholesale alterations to the battle between the haves and the have-nots (Trading Places) and race relations and how we look at immigration (Coming to America). So, needless to say, Murphy and all involved have two films that will resonate with audiences in 2018 as much as they did in 1983 and 1988.
Trading Places was Murphy’s second smash hit on the silver screen in a row, after his work on 48 Hours. It also was the SNL star’s second film in a row where he was paired with a partner in crime—so to speak—who would also play the “straight man” role in the production of the laughs. This time out, Murphy famously joined forces with another SNL veteran in Dan Aykroyd as Louis Winthorpe III. This Philadelphia story had Winthorpe living the WASP dream of a high paying job in finance, a beautiful fiancé and from all appearances a pre-written life story that was very successful and very white-washed. Murphy’s Billy Ray Valentine is a street hustler who never met a con he couldn’t execute to success at the most and talk his way out of it at the least.
When Randolph and Mortimer Duke (Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche) decide to unleash a social experiment with our two leads as their lab rats, both men’s lives will never be the same. But, as we all know (spoiler warming if you are the two people who haven’t seen the film), karma comes calling and Louis and Billy Ray get the last laugh.
Aykroyd and Murphy had impeccable chemistry and the film ushered in a million quotes that are still uttered today (“Looking good, Billy Ray! Feeling good, Louis!”) and a plot premise that has been utilized a million times since. Sure, Trading Spaces is a feel-good comedy, but it certainly spoke to the nature versus nurture argument to upbringing and (let’s hope) gave quite a few bosses an idea about hiring people who might not have the pedigree of a Winthorpe but possessed the drive and innate talent of a Valentine. OK, maybe I look to deeply at an early 80s comedy than most people… but I can dream, no?!
Trading Places also showed a funnier side to Jamie Lee Curtis than audiences had seen prior. The former scream queen shined in the role of a prostitute who helps Winthorpe get back on his feet and get back at the Dukes.
Coming to America found Murphy portraying an African royal, Prince Akeem, who was just about to walk down the aisle in an arranged marriage to a woman he hardly knew. Not wanting that in any shape or form, he sought to go to America to find love with his BFF, Semmi (Arsenio Hall), helping him “sow his wild oats.” Once in the USA, our prince would hide his identity and take a job at a fast food joint (McDowell’s) with his annoyed to be there loyal companion. Therefore, if and when he found love, the prince could feel confident that he discovered someone who loved him for him and not his title and fortune.
What set Coming to America apart from Trading Spaces is that Murphy came up with the story and it illustrated his vast talent beyond getting laughs from someone else’s dialogue. It was the next logical move for a gifted comedian like Murphy and one that would open the door for him for many other opportunities to come (such as his remake of The Nutty Professor and its sequels). It also would be the first time Murphy would be allowed to play multiple characters and knock it out of the park in the process. The barbershop crew in Coming to America is a huge highlight in a film full of highlights. He and Hall must have had a blast with that banter and we cannot imagine how many takes were ruined by each cracking up the other.
The second fish out of water flick in this anniversary Blu-Ray release also featured an enormous ensemble and also introduced us to some soon-to-be well-known individuals as well. James Earl Jones played Akeem’s dad, while John Amos starred as Cleo McDowell. Before ER made him a household name, Eriq LaSalle produced a slew of laughs while letting his Soul Glo as Darryl Jenks. Louie Anderson’s Maurice fry guy added his own brand of humor, while Cuba Gooding Jr. made the scene as “Boy Getting Haircut.” See, this flick was stacked and worked on so many levels.
There is even a tie-in in Coming to America from Trading Spaces in that it featured a stellar cameo from none other than the Duke brothers—Don Ameche and Ralph Bellamy!
The Trading Places Blu-Ray includes multiple behind-the-scenes featurettes that if you don’t already own this film, is a must-add to your home video collection. There are no new featurettes that enlighten while they entertain, but for those of us that have a gaping hole in the comedy realm in the ole Blu-Ray collection, this flick is an absolute must-own.
Coming to America also does not add any new featurettes that were not included in previous Blu-Ray releases of the title. But, those so-called vintage interviews with the cast are just priceless and the behind-the-scenes featurettes are also top notch for those of us who do not already possess a copy of the second Murphy comedy classic to mark a special anniversary in 2018.
Trading Places: A
Coming to America: A