Eddie and Dan are superb in The Prince and the Pauper. Mortimer and Randolph Duke, two disgustingly wealthy brothers, make a wager that involves switching places—Louis Winthorpe, a privileged young man, with Billy Ray Valentine, a streetwise hustler. That’s essentially what the plot revolves around, but it results in a very amusing movie full of energy thanks to its sharp script. Observing these characters experience ups and downs generates plenty of laughs while posing the question of how we would all manage if faced with a similar situation. The film does hammer home its social commentary; from the beginning, there’s no doubt about the divide between the rich and poor, and the issue of racial prejudice also emerges, making this one of the bolder comedies of the 1980s. Billy Ray Valentine (a standout double performance by Eddie Murphy) climbs the social ladder and becomes a powerful figure in business, but as he’s drawn into that world, he realizes that things at the top aren't exactly admirable. Winthorpe (perfectly portrayed by Dan Ackroyd) descends further down the social scale and engages in actions no one from his background would ever have imagined him capable of—it’s only an encounter with prostitute Ophelia (Jamie Lee Curtis looking her most attractive), and her kindness, that begins to turn around his dire circumstances. The jokes are frequent, both through dialogue (Murphy is outstanding) and visually, as the entire cast combines to create a hilarious comedy. The climax on Wall Street reveals joyful and ruthless events that complete this clever Christmas confection. It certainly has an 80s feel, and watching it now in the post-9/11 era adds a layer of nostalgia, but ultimately it’s all about the writing, the performers, and a sharp rebuke to those who don't consider the impact their actions have on others—enjoy it. 8/10

Source on TMDB