The Distinguished Gentleman (1992)

A conman discovers during a "job" that US Congress is where the money is. "Name recognition" gets him elected. Will he develop a conscience?

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

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.

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Plot Keywords:

congressman | lobbyist | political humor | political comedy | campaigning | 

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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

Official Sites:

Jonathan Lynn - Director

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 December 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

De estafador a senador

Filming Locations:

Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$46,666,502

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

The film cast includes four Oscar nominees: Eddie Murphy, James Garner, Daniel Petrie Jr. and Kevin McCarthy.

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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

Thomas Jefferson Johnson: HEY, hey, hey, hey, HEY, hey, hey!

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Connections

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

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Soundtracks

THE THUNDERER
Written by John Philip Sousa

User Reviews

A Smash!!!

Eddie Murphy is a great actor and he proves it in this movie. In it, Con man Murphy decides he can make more money as a United States Congressman than a hood. Victoria Rowell as Murphy's lawyer-activist love interest, Lane Smith as his double-dealing "political" mentor, and Joe Don Baker as the power magnate who tries to put both men in his pocket, bat great cleanup. All of this movie, coming from a pure political buff like myself, is great. For all you Alan Keyes fans out there, watch this movie for Charles S. Dutton's great performance as Eliah Hawkins, a preachy minister-Maryland congressman who I think is like Keyes in every way.