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Coming to America (1988)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
29 June 1988 (USA) moreTagline:
This summer, Prince Akeem discovers America. morePlot:
An African prince goes to Queens, New York City to find a wife whom he can respect for her intelligence and will. full summary | full synopsisAwards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins moreNewsDesk:
(17 articles)
How Does Jim Carrey Playing Multiple Roles in 'A Christmas Carol' Benefit the Film? (From Rope Of Silicon. 26 October 2009, 1:22 PM, PDT)
Jake is the new Bachelor. What, was a box of rocks not available?
(From EW.com - PopWatch. 13 October 2009, 8:27 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Trading Countries more (104 total)Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Eddie Murphy | ... | Prince Akeem / Clarence / Randy Watson / Saul | |
| Arsenio Hall | ... | Semmi / Extremely Ugly Girl / Morris / Reverend Brown | |
| James Earl Jones | ... | King Jaffe Joffer | |
| John Amos | ... | Cleo McDowell | |
| Madge Sinclair | ... | Queen Aoleon | |
| Shari Headley | ... | Lisa McDowell | |
| Paul Bates | ... | Oha | |
| Eriq La Salle | ... | Darryl Jenks | |
| Frankie Faison | ... | Landlord | |
| Vanessa Bell Calloway | ... | Imani Izzi (as Vanessa Bell) | |
| Louie Anderson | ... | Maurice | |
| Allison Dean | ... | Patrice McDowell | |
| Sheila Johnson | ... | Lady-in-Waiting | |
| Jake Steinfeld | ... | Cab Driver | |
| Calvin Lockhart | ... | Colonel Izzi |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
116 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreSound Mix:
DolbyCertification:
Iceland:L | Australia:PG (TV rating) (cut) | South Korea:15 | West Germany:12 (f) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:S | Norway:11 | Singapore:NC-16 | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:RFun Stuff
Trivia:
Most of the dance that's performed by the royal dancers before presenting Prince Akeem's queen-to-be is a high-tempo rendition of the dance from Michael Jackson's Thriller (1983) (TV) (also directed by John Landis). moreGoofs:
Incorrectly regarded as goofs: In a scene where Mr. McDowell is in his office, he picks up the company manual and it says "McDonald's." The restaurant is called McDowell's, a parody of McDonald's, but the manual actually says McDonald's on it. However, that is actually the joke - since McDowell's has deliberately copied every aspect of McDonald's (as evidenced by the guy taking pictures of the restaurant earlier in the film), it would not be surprising that Mr. McDowell would have a copy of the manual. moreQuotes:
Maurice: Mr. McDowell?Cleo McDowell: Yes?
Maurice: There's some people here to see you.
Cleo McDowell: They're not from McDonalds are they?
Cleo McDowell: I don't think so.
more
Soundtrack:
Come Into My Life moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (104 total)
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Eddie Murphy stars as Prince Hakeem, who comes to America with his servant (Arsenio Hall) in search of a future wife who can respect him for his intelligence, not his money. The film is another '80s fish-out-of-water comedy in the vein of "Crocodile Dundee" -- it delivers some of the best jokes of Murphy's career. Although it never becomes "great" and is quite uneven at times, entering its rough spots where the jokes seem to slow down and become not quite as funny, the movie is always entertaining and Murphy's charismatic lead performance displays his skills as a comedian -- unfortunately Hall is not as fortunate. Frankly, he stinks.
The movie features a wide range of cameos and/or star appearances (before they became stars) -- James Earl Jones, Louie Anderson, and Samuel L. Jackson popping up in various scenes.
The movie works as a sort of sequel to TRADING PLACES (1983) -- both star Eddie Murphy, both were directed by John Landis, both deal with the prospect of "trading places" (or countries, in this situation), etc.
Also, it features a great self-referential moment (linked to Trading Places) when Murphy gives a couple of bums a wad of money. It turns out the homeless guys are more than just familiar faces...
Recommended. 4/5