THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN
US, 1992, 112 minutes, Colour.
Eddie Murphy, Lane Smith, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Joe Don Baker, Kevin Mc Carthy.
Directed by Jonathan Lynn.
The Distinguished Gentleman is an enjoyable Eddie Murphy vehicle, a change of pace from the action films like 48 Hours and Another 48 Hours and the films designed for black audiences, Harlem Nights and Boomerang.
The film was written by Marty Kaplan, former speechwriter for American politicians. It was directed by Jonathan Lynn, the writer-director of Yes, Minister as well as such films as Nuns on the Run and My Cousin Vinnie. This is broad humour - designed for the widest audience and bringing people back to Eddie Murphy as an entertainer.
There is strong support from Lane Smith as Dick Dodge (Lane Smith has portrayed Richard Nixon, Tricky Dicky, in telemovies) with veterans like Joe Don Baker and Kevin McCarthy? as well as TV star Grant Shaud (Murphy Brown) in a supporting role. James Garner appears very briefly as the incumbent congressman who dies. There is a focus on racial issues - however, the issues in Washington relate more to environmental questions?
1. Popularity of Eddie Murphy? Reaching a popular audience at the beginning of the '90s?
2. The echoes of the films of Frank Capra and the optimistic picture of individuals changing corrupt politics? The background of the screenwriter and his writing for politicians, the director and his work on Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister?
3. The Florida settings, wealthy environment, the poorer homes? Washington DC, Capitol Hill? Musical score, songs?
4. The title and its ironies about the American Congress? Audience expectations?
5. Eddie Murphy and his style, visual humour, verbal, timing? Pleasant - conman? His crew, their cons and scams? The fundraiser, his performance, the blackmail, Zeke Bridges and his vulnerability? The $12,000, the Rolex? The persuasive patter? The escape - and his overhearing the money deals about politics?
6. Jefferson at home, family, the significance of his name? His style, the group, the cons? Miss Loretta and the pornographic phone service? The advertisements?
7. The congressman and his style, wealth? His relationships, his death? The irony of his wife and her wealth, her antagonism? Zeke Bridges and the Florida wealthy backers of congressmen, the group, their interests, anti-environmental?
8. The political campaign, the humour, Jefferson's anonymity, the slogans, the election, the role of the media?
9. Going to Washington with his entourage, their style, arrival, the rooms and offices? Miss Loretta and the handling of the office? His assistance? The visits from the politicians, the deals? Dick Dodge and his patronage? Arthur Reinhart and his liaison work? Money, double-dealing, benefits?
10. Jefferson's encounter with Celia, her principles, concerns? Attracted and her reaction? Elijah Hawkins and his campaigns, style, truth? The ethical clash with Dodge? Celia and her support of her uncle?
11. Jefferson and his being more involved with social issues, the mother and the cancer-ridden child, the hat coming off in the struggle? The pathos and the appeal? The electricity substations and the consequences? Celia and her concerns? Dodge, the deals, the money? Hawkins being hurt, Celia's reaction? Jefferson bought off?
12. His change of heart, the decision to trick Dodge? The elaborate meetings, the political double-talk? The pressure for the inquiry? The video threat? Dodge and his reaction, the expose, the timing for the playing of the video and the discrediting of Dodge? His friends? Zeke Bridges, Terry Corrigan, Olaf Andersen?
13. Dodge and his cronies? Arthur Reinhart and his double-dealing?
14. The finale, the change of heart, the romantic ending? The humorous ironies - and the only place to go is to become president?
