COMING TO AMERICA
US, 1988, 116 minutes, Colour.
Eddie Murphy, James Earl, Jones, Arsenio Hall, John Amos, Eriq La Salle, Madge Sinclair.
Directed by John Landis.
Coming to America is an enjoyable American comedy. It is something of a change of pace for Eddie Murphy after his brashness in 48 Hours, Trading Places and The Beverly Hills Cop films. The story is from Murphy himself (with borrowings from such films as Roman Holiday, Crocodile Dundee and the various Alien films where someone from outer space tries to adapt to human and American customs).
Murphy is very good as Prince Akim (and has three surprising guest roles as a jive-talking barber, a boring pop singer (singing Whitney Houston songs), and an Alf- Garnett-style Jewish New Yorker). He is well-matched by comedian Arsenio Hall (who also has three roles besides). Veteran James Earl Jones is the Prince's father and John Amos enjoys himself as the owner of Mc Dowell's (to all intents and purposes like Mc Donald's who are credited at the end).
The film opens in a Hollywood-style Africa but soon moves to New York. The humour is much more gentle than one would expect from the sometimes abrasive Murphy. Direction is by John Landis, veteran director of comedies including Trading Places, with Murphy (and there is a guest reappearance from the rich brothers from that film, Don Ameche and Ralph Bellamy). Very entertaining.
1. The popularity of Eddie Murphy? His style of comedy? American themes? Murphy as an American, praising and criticising America?
2. Murphy's contribution to the film, the story, the wisecracks, his screen persona, the various parts, especially the Jewish commentator and his final joke during the credits? His teaming with Arsenio Hall and Hall's various personalities?
3. The feel of the U.S., of Queens, American environment, style, manners? The pleasant aspects of America?
4. A contemporary fairy tale, echoes of other films like Roman Holiday, Crocodile Dundee, E.T. and Alien films?
5. The opening in Africa, the sets, Akim's birthday, getting up, his toilet, bathing, breakfast, distance from his parents, workout, the arranged marriage, his interview with the would-be wife and his making her obey orders, bark? His request for the 40-day delay? The discussions with Sernmi? The decision to go to America?
6. The arrival in New York, wealthy dress, the trunks (and their being robbed)? Stopping the taxi, going to Queens, the ugly apartment, the rats, buying local clothes, the collage at the various bars of Queens and the possible place for Akim?
7. The barber, his jive, his chat with his friend, the Jewish tailor and the observations, the comment; their participation in the plot, going to the meeting, telling the king where Akim was, the jokes, especially during the credits?
8. The meeting and its atmosphere, the revival tone, the lead singer with the Whitney Houston song? Lisa and her appeal for the money, Akim in love, giving so much money?
9. Getting the job, his pride in his job, putting out the garbage, cleaning the windows, his talk with the assistant who had ambitions, Cleo and his puzzle, warning Akim about the drugs, Lisa and her friendship, the hold-up and his martial arts rescue?
10. Lisa and her attractiveness, independence? Patrice and her eyes on men? Cleo and his worry about Mc Dowells and the Mc Donald's spies? Darrell and the send-up commercial of Soul- Glo? His hair? In love with Lisa, his fright during the hold-up? Taking Akim to the game, his slinging off at him? Announcing the engagement and Lisa's reaction? The fight? His being ousted, Cleo slamming the door? Patrice finding him?
11. Akim and Lisa, going to the game, the rest room and the subject genuflecting to him, the foiling of the robber, going to the party and his listening to Lisa in her disappointment, to the dance, in love, the gifts of the earrings? Wanting to take her to dinner but Semmi's changing the apartment? Changing the apartment again? Nervousness with Lisa, the taxi to her parents? The confrontation? Chasing Lisa, the encounter in the subway (and the encouraging passengers)?
12. Cleo and his change of attitude, the king, the note with Akim's picture? Patrice and Semmi and her thinking he was the prince? The rejection of Darrell?
13. The King and his sternness, traditions? Arranged marriages? The wise mother? The fat major-domo, the court, the rose petals? The dancing at the marriage? Their arrival in New York, seeing the barber, going to the apartment, Semmi, the Waldorf Astoria, going to Cleo? The King's rudeness to Lisa? His wife advising him to change the laws?
14. Semmi, the humiliation of work, wealth, the return to his homeland?
15. The portrait of the U.S., ordinary people, work, independence?
16. Murphy's talents and his roles, Hall, his talent and his rolls?
17. The marriage build-up, Lisa coming to the marriage, accepting being Queen? The happy ending? An American fairy tale?
