The Distinguished Gentleman (1992)

A Florida con man uses the passing of the long time Congressman from his district who he just happens to share a name with, to get elected to his version of paradise, Congress, where the ... See full summary »

Director:

Jonathan Lynn

Writers:

Marty Kaplan (story), Jonathan Reynolds (story),

Stars:

Eddie Murphy, Lane Smith, Sheryl Lee Ralph

4 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Eddie Murphy	...	Thomas Jefferson Johnson
Lane Smith	...	Dick Dodge
Sheryl Lee Ralph	...	Miss Loretta
Joe Don Baker	...	Olaf Andersen
Victoria Rowell	...	Celia Kirby
Grant Shaud	...	Arthur Reinhardt
Kevin McCarthy	...	Terry Corrigan
Charles S. Dutton	...	Elijah Hawkins
Victor Rivers	...	Armando
Chi McBride	...	Homer (as Chi)
Sonny Jim Gaines	...	Van Dyke
Noble Willingham	...	Zeke Bridges
Gary Frank	...	Iowa
Daniel Benzali	...	'Skeeter' Warburton
Cynthia Harris	...	Vera Johnson

Storyline

A Florida con man uses the passing of the long time Congressman from his district who he just happens to share a name with, to get elected to his version of paradise, Congress, where the money flows from lobbyists. But soon he learns the nature of the game and decides to fight back the only way he knows how, with a con.

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Plot Keywords:

congressman | lobbyist | revenge | sex with secretary | politician | 

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Taglines:

From con man to congressman

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and a scene of sexuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 December 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

De estafador a senador

Filming Locations:

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$46,666,502 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hollywood Pictures, Touchwood Pacific Partners 1

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Feature film debut of Chi McBride.

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Goofs

When the Congressmen are out in the field hunting, they spot a flock of geese and commence firing. However, even though we hear the sound of multiple rapid gunfire, none of the weapons (M16s) have any fire spitting from the barrels, nor do any spent cartridges eject.

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Quotes

Dick Dodge: [to Thomas Johnson] And you! You better be very, very quiet in there, my friend. I've got the goods on you, and it would be my pleasure to leave tire marks all over you.

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Connections

Featured in The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing (2004)

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Soundtracks

"HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN"
Written by Milton Ager and Jack Yellen

User Reviews

Highly Entertaining

This overlooked Eddie Murphy from 1992 gem is much better than most critics would have you believe. Murphy plays a charming con man who swindles his way into Congress through voter inattention -- they think he's the incumbent, who is actually deceased. What starts as a game to merely soak the job for all it's worth turns into an unlikely effort to make a real difference. Several scenes are laugh-out-loud, particularly early on. Though a shade overlong, the story is engaging enough to keep the viewer's attention, and it serves up some nice potshots at how bloated and self-serving government has become. One of Murphy's best 'non-family' entries.