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Coming to America
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Coming to America (1988)

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User Rating: 6.7/10 (26,297 votes)
Photos (see all 37 | slideshow)

Overview

Director:
John Landis
Writers (WGA):
Eddie Murphy (story)
David Sheffield (screenplay) ...
more
Release Date:
29 June 1988 (USA) more
Genre:
Comedy | Romance more
Tagline:
This summer, Prince Akeem discovers America. more
Plot:
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 synopsis (warning! may contain spoilers)
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins more
User Comments:
Hilarious romantic-comedy-drama with a great ensemble cast more
US TV Schedule:
Sat. May 244:30 AMHBO   

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
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Prince in New York (Europe: English title) (video title)
more
Runtime:
116 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby
MOVIEmeter: ?
^ 10% since last week why?

Fun 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) (V) (also directed by John Landis). more
Goofs:
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): At the "Black Awareness Rally" Cleo whispers, "Plug the new salad bar!" Yet, in the next scene which entails a walk-through of McDowell's, no salad bar is present. more
Quotes:
[while Prince Akeem is getting a bath]
Bather: The royal penis is clean, your Highness.
more
Movie Connections:
References The Ten Commandments (1956) more
Soundtrack:
All Dressed Up (Ready To Hit The Town) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
9 out of 11 people found the following comment useful:-
Hilarious romantic-comedy-drama with a great ensemble cast, 5 February 2005
10/10
Author: aaronclemens from United States

Coming to America centers on the story of young prince, set up for an arranged marriage. He leaves his home in Africa to find a woman that he can truly love. Like all good tales, this one has already been told many times. It covers how a newcomer must adjust to a new culture, including encountering difficulties in the romance department, and fathers who just don't understand. This is all done to comedic effect, but not without romantic and dramatic overtones, to the credit of all involved.

I could watch this movie every week (actually, I have been lately, since it's on CINEMAX). The writing and direction was fantastic, the film is perfectly paced, with constant sight gags and witty repartee. The film works because actors selected have great timing.

Eddie Murphy (Akeem, et al) is quite versatile as the lead. He's in his very best form, earnest when he needs to in this feel-good comedy, with on-point comic timing.

Shari Headley (Lisa McDowell), she's level headed, perfect in delivering outrage and frustration as well as contentment and laughter.

Allison Dean (Princess in "Cool as Ice") as Patricia is not only hot, I love her nappturality hair styles. (Shari's got some nice ones too). Allison ideally portrays the jilted, petulant, and gold-digging little sister.

Eriq La Salle (Darryl) is the outlandish villain you can actually feel sorry for. His Jeri curl, damn, it's atrocious.

Arsenio Hall (Semmi, et al) was a great, smarmy, sidekick.

I could go on and on. The supporting cast, from James Earl Jones (King Jaffe Joffer) and Madge Sinclair (Queen Aoleon) to Frankie Faison (Landlord) and Samuel L. Jackson (hold-up guy), are spectacular.

Every time I watch it again, I find something new. I enjoyed it when I was younger, but now I like it even more.

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Message Boards

Discuss this title with other users on IMDb message board for Coming to America (1988)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
The Dukes!!! Godbrother-1
Akeem's 'Arranged Bride' In Beginning of Movie SweetiesMom
Soundtrack Missing A Song phaota1
Favorite Line..... BIGtony05
Reverend Brown trebleclef811
Lisa is so nice! johnnyjr
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