Watch Tricks of the Trade

Tricks of the Trade is a 1988 comedy film directed by Jack Bender and starring Cindy Williams, Markie Post, and John Ritter. The movie follows the story of three friends who decide to start a business together in order to make some extra money. The main character of the film is Diane, played by Cindy Williams, who is struggling to keep her interior design business afloat. She comes up with the idea of starting a detective agency, and recruits her two best friends, Cassie (Markie Post) and Grant (John Ritter) to join her. Cassie is a former police officer who was forced to retire after a gun accident, while Grant is an aspiring actor who has struggled to find work.

With their diverse backgrounds, the three friends embark on a journey to solve cases and make a name for themselves in the detective world. Their first case involves tracking down a missing husband, which leads them on a wild goose chase through Los Angeles.

Throughout the movie, the three friends encounter a number of obstacles and challenges, including a rival detective agency and the disapproval of their families. Despite these setbacks, they persevere and become increasingly successful in their business.

One of the strengths of the film is the chemistry between Williams, Post, and Ritter. Their comedic timing is impeccable, and they bring a sense of fun and energy to the movie. Williams is particularly effective as the determined and no-nonsense Diane, while Post provides a lot of the film's humor as the gung-ho Cassie. Ritter, who sadly passed away in 2003, is also great as the charming and resourceful Grant.

Another highlight of Tricks of the Trade is its depiction of Los Angeles. The film showcases a number of iconic locations, such as the Venice Beach boardwalk and the Hollywood sign, and captures the vibrancy and diversity of the city. The movie also features a catchy soundtrack, which adds to the overall upbeat and uplifting mood.

While Tricks of the Trade is primarily a comedy, it does touch on some serious issues, such as the struggles of small business owners and the challenges faced by women in male-dominated industries. These themes are subtly woven into the plot, and add depth to the characters and their stories.

Overall, Tricks of the Trade is a fun and entertaining movie that showcases the talents of its three leads. It's a feel-good film that will leave audiences laughing and engaged from start to finish.

Tricks of the Trade is a 1988 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.