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:

ends with freeze frame | car | automobile | u.s. car | dodge motor vehicle | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The election campaign slogan of Thomas Jefferson Johnson (Eddie Murphy) when running for Congress was "The Name You Know".

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Goofs

When congressman Johnson first sits down with Celia Kirby and her assistant Ira Schecter , Johnson asks Ira about how much he pays for auto insurance and Ira states that he owns a 1982 Dodge Dart. The Dodge Dart was manufactured from 1960 through 1976 and then again from 2013 through the present. There is no such thing as a 1982 Dodge Dart.

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Quotes

Olaf Andersen: Now the question is, can we get the shit back into the horse?

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Connections

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

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Soundtracks

THE POLITICS OF LOVE
Written and Performed by Phil Marshall

User Reviews

Wonderful satire!

As a political wonk, I found this movie perfect! I think this is the best Eddie Murphy movie ever! Actually, I am disappointed it took me so long to see it (today, 12/28/02). I was amazed at the negative reviews. What is these people's problem? That the US government doesn't work like this? Or that Eddie's character could actually realize that screwing ordinary citizens is different from swindling corporations and rich people?

Details

Official Sites:

Jonathan Lynn - Director

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 December 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Distinguished Gentleman

Filming Locations:

Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,611,040, 6 December 1992

Gross USA:

$46,666,502

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$46,666,502

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hollywood Pictures, Touchwood Pacific Partners 1

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1