Kevin Smith is heading to Sundance, and is giving you a look at the movies he thinks will steal the show.
Related lists from IMDb users
Title: The Distinguished Gentleman (1992)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
| 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 | |
In the conniving world of politics, even a professional shyster like Thomas Jefferson Johnson (Eddie Murphy) can find himself outmatched. After using name recognition to get elected, Johnson enjoys many of the same financial perks as other politicians. However, while investigating the connection between electric companies and cancer in young children, he unexpectedly develops a conscience. Unfortunately, fellow Congressman Dick Dodge (Lane Smith) isn't about to let him rock the boat.
Watch Hollywood hits and TV favorites for free with IMDb Freedive. Start streaming on IMDb and Fire TV devices today!
Explore popular and recently added TV series available to stream now with Prime Video.
Though it laid a big fat egg at the box office, THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN is still one of Eddie Murphy's smartest and most entertaining films. Eddie plays a career con man who decides there is real money to be made in the political arena and using the name of his state's recently deceased incumbent, runs for Congress and is actually elected on the strength of his predecessor's name. Upon his arrival in Washington, he finds himself courted by many special lobbyists and finds him squaring off against one semi-crooked congressman (the late Lane Smith), whose personal agendas outweigh his duties to the people he represents and it is through his dealings with this guy and learning that politics is more than the big dodge he thought it was going to be, our hero learns to be a better person. This clever comedy takes the expected pot-shots at Washington, DC and politics in general, but also presents a fun good vs evil story surrounded by some elaborate trappings that make for a sophisticated comic romp. Murphy has rarely been better and he has surrounded himself with a superb supporting cast including Kevin McCarthy, Joe Don Baker, Charles S. Dutton, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Noble Willingham, and Grant Shaud. There is also a very funny cameo by James Garner as the congressman who Murphy succeeds. The movie is about 20 minutes too long, but for the most part, it is a very entertaining ride. It's not the kind of film hard-core Eddie-philes expect from him, but for those looking for something a little original and very funny...have your fill here.