A Good Man in Africa (1994)

Politics are already strained between English imperialists and the West African government of Kinjanja, when womanizing British diplomat Morgan Leafy (Colin Friels) is caught in bed with ... See full summary »

Director:

Bruce Beresford

Writers:

William Boyd (novel), William Boyd (screenplay)

Stars:

Colin Friels, Sean Connery, Joanne Whalley

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Colin Friels	...	Morgan Leafy, 1st Secretary of the High Commissioner
Sean Connery	...	Dr. Alex Murray
John Lithgow	...	Arthur Fanshawe, British High Commissioner
Diana Rigg	...	Chloe Fanshawe
Louis Gossett Jr.	...	Prof. Sam Adekunle
Joanne Whalley	...	Celia Adekunle (as Joanne Whalley-Kilmer)
Sarah-Jane Fenton	...	Priscilla Fanshawe
Maynard Eziashi	...	Friday, Leafy's Houseman
Jeremy Crutchley	...	Dickie Dalmire
Jackie Mofokeng	...	Hazel, Leafy's Mistress
Daphne Greenwood	...	Duchess
Themba Ndaba	...	Kojo
David Phetoe	...	Isaiah
Dambuza Mdledle	...	Sonny, Hazel's Brother
Lillian Dube	...	Innocence, Maid struck by lightning

Storyline

Politics are already strained between English imperialists and the West African government of Kinjanja, when womanizing British diplomat Morgan Leafy (Colin Friels) is caught in bed with Celia (Joanne Whalley-Kilmer), wife of corrupt Kinjanjan presidential candidate Sam Adekunle (Academy Award winner Louis Gossett Jr.). As punishment, Leafy is forced into bribing an official who has voted down a project that stands to make Adekunle very rich. Leafy thinks he's gotten off easy until he learns the lone holdout is none other than Kinjanja's own brick wall of integrity, Dr. Alex Murray (Connery). Meanwhile, Leafy must also contend with his absurdly stuffy boss Fanshawe (John Lithgow), Fanshawe's lusty wife (Diana Rigg) and their luscious, too friendly daughter!

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel | independent film | british diplomat | female nudity | satire | 

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Taglines:

They call it diplomacy.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and sexuality

Details

Country:

South Africa USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 September 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Afrika koktél

Filming Locations:

South Africa

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$2,308,390

Company Credits

Production Co:

Capitol Films, Polar Entertainment, South African Breweries

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie featured the only time that Oscar winners Sir Sean Connery and Louis Gossett, Jr. appeared together.

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Quotes

Dr. Alex Murray: Show me the man who is completely content, and I'll show you the lobotomy scar.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Quiz Show/Milk Money/A Simple Twist of Fate/A Good Man in Africa/What Happened Was... (1994)

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Soundtracks

I Need You
Composed by Lionel Cole
Performed by Lionel Cole
Courtesy of Longitude Music

User Reviews

Farcical

I have never read a William Boyd book but after having seen this movie, I have a mind to look out for them. A Good Man in Africa felt pretty much how I imagined a Tom Sharpe novel would appear on screen, farcical, riotous, uproarious and hilarious. Except there was something important missing in the film. There were a some very good scenes which showed up the farce to excellent effect. The unfortunate intervention of a tropical disease into the evening's entertainment, the unequal game of golf, the fitting for the Santa outfit, the corpse removal, the shower scene, the flight from disgruntled locals are just some examples of the farce. Friels' diplomat is at the heart of each embarrassment and he is charming in a very understated way, but he seems as bemused by his role as he is by events that unfurl around him.

Friels' supporting cast is also pretty mixed, John Lithgow, Diana Rigg and Sean Connery are amongst the best and they seem to have more fun than Friels does in his role and this is not just because Friels is hard done by as the 'put-upon' embassy attache. The belly laughs expected of a good farce do not materialise although there is plenty to chuckle about and think on. However, for the chuckles alone the film is well worth seeing, now let us see how the book compares.