 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Trading Places
- Review Date: October 31, 2005
- R
- Genre: Comedy
- 1983
Common Sense Media says
Edgy, bawdy '80s comedy not meant for kids.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this film is too bawdy for children under 17 as it has explicit female nudity, coarse language, and visualizations/discussions of hard-core drugs (including PCP, cocaine, Quaaludes). Besides profanity, there are racist remarks. The mature content depicts stereotypes of social classes and different races. Avarice drives many of the characters, yet the film does a good job showing the ill effects of greed.
What's the story?
TRADING PLACES tells the story of greedy, wealthy Wall Street brothers Mortimer (Don Ameche) and Randolph (Ralph Bellamy) Duke, who wager on whether environment or heredity defines a man. The pawns in their game are a smart-mouthed street hustler Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy) and an affluent investment executive Louis Winthorpe III (Dan Aykroyd). The bet entails taking Winthorpe's power and money and giving it to Billy Ray to see if whether nature or nurture will take over. When both Valentine and Winthorpe get wind of the brothers' scheme, they join forces to turn the tables on the Dukes.
Is it any good?
Set as more of a dark comedy Trading Places insightfully raises some issues about socio-economics and class structure in America. Both Aykroyd and Murphy put on stellar performances, in addition to cameos offered by Al Franken and Jim Belushi.
Although the movie depicts many stereotypical views of money, it could offer good topics of debate for parents and kids. Adults might find the film entertaining, but it's definitely not appropriate for younger children.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the overall message of the film: nature versus nurture. What does this film say about the role of money on social behavior? Are people who are born with money more or less likely to commit crimes? How about poor people?
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Kid, 12 years old
September 5, 2010
AGE
don't listen to csm or the R rating
this is a great movie but still i think the R is a bit harsh. frequent nudity often when someone is taking off their shirt. the f-word is said moderately s-word said a few times one rasist word some milder language. mild violence like pointing guns at people. a man in prision is pushed up agenst a wall some refrences to a man being cut with finger nails (thought it never happend). drug refrences are highish lots of drugs are seen on screen a man smokes a drug but is intteruped. a man has a heart attack. a good movie again i would have rated it PG-13. 12+
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AGE
Good movie, bad role models.
I love this movie! Funny, exhilirating, and downright exciting. But, it does have overdosing female nuditiy, drinking, drugs, and the common use of the word "n-er".
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AGE
Great but "inapropro"
Real great movie and storyline NOT for young kids. People may say its "inapropro".the business men totally mess these guys lifes up for a ONE DOLLAR bet. but the men team up and show them they cant control their lives
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AGE
Slow to start with funny second half
Some nudity and sexual humor including language, but could easily be viewed by mature teens
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| Studio: | Paramount Pictures |
| Director: | John Landis |
| Cast: | Dan Aykroyd, Denholm Elliott, Eddie Murphy |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 116 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | June 8, 1983 |
| DVD release date: | September 24, 2002 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
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