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t Pictures
ANDY GOTLIEB: Kung pao chicken/”Trading Places” (1983). Peak Eddie
Murphy with the underrated Dan Aykroyd, Jamie Lee Curtis and
old pros like Ralph Bellamy, Don Ameche and Denholm Elliott in a
comedic holiday tale set in Philadelphia — what’s not to like?
Yeah, it’s set around Christmas, but let’s assume it was one of those
years that the eight days of Chanukah fell at the same time.

Some 40 years aft er its debut, “Trading Places” holds up nicely,
working both as a fi sh out of water story and also as a rags to riches (or,
in the case of the Duke brothers, riches to rags) tale, not to mention a
light commentary on social class and status.

Primarily, though, it’s funny, and our fair city is featured
prominently. Th ere aren’t a whole lot of food-related scenes — and one food joke
mentions the decidedly nonkosher escargot — so kung pao chicken is
the choice pairing here.

Why, you might ask?
In one especially funny sequence, Murphy disguises himself as
Nanga Eboko, “an exchange student from Cameroon.” West African
cuisine oft en features peanuts, which are a key ingredient in kung pao
chicken. Eboko likely would approve and wish you a merry New Year.

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24 NOVEMBER 25, 2021
WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM



ELEANOR LINAFELT: Beef with broccoli/”Funny Face” (1957). I
don’t know what it is about “Funny Face” that makes me want to
watch it over and over again, but I never tire of Audrey Hepburn’s
stylish outfi ts, Fred Astaire’s impressive dance moves and all of the
catchy musical numbers. I also somehow never tire of beef with
broccoli, always a reliable pick every time I order Chinese food.

Much of “Funny Face” is set in Paris, featuring a memorable
montage that follows the characters through all the famous
tourist spots. While it’s hard to fi gure out what Chinese dish
might make you feel like you too are in Paris, perhaps beef with
broccoli has vague similarities to steak frites? Maybe? Th ey’re
both beef ...

Regardless of the dubious French connection, “Funny Face,”
with its tidy, fairytale ending (hopefully not too much of a spoiler)
and beef with broccoli with its reliably satisfying fl avor are a
perfect pair on a cold, dark night. Th ey’ll never fail to be just the
right comfort fi lm and food that I need to lift my spirits in the
middle of winter. Hopefully they’ll be the same for you, too. ❆
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