Smell the Movies
Smell the TV
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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| Year: | 1988 |
| Country of origin: | USA |
| Director: | John Landis |
| Genre: | Fish out of water comedy |
| Starring: | Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones, Shari Headley |
| Rating: | 4/5 |
| IMDB link: | http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094898/ |
| Tagline: | This summer, Prince Akeem discovers America. |
| Favourite line: | "The royal penis is clean, your Highness" |
Very entertaining Eddie Murphy vehicle which sees him reunited with John Landis whom he last worked with on the equally good Trading Places.
Though ultimately this is a dumb, one joke film, there is a degree of intelligence behind both the direction and performances that elevate it beyond the pale.
Murphy is Prince Akeem of Zamunda, a man who knows nothing but privilege. On the verge of an arranged marriage to a beautiful woman, he determines that he must find a wife who truly loves him, and has a mind of her own (fool!). With this in mind he sets out to Queens, New York and muchos 'fish out of water' shenanigans commences.
Consistently funny throughout, the interplay between Murphy and Arsenio Hall as his reluctant assistant Semmi is excellent. Indeed, Hall is a scene stealer at times - see the interviews in the nightclub, and the discussion with the Western Union woman.
Yes, it's soft centred, boiling down to a hokey love story, but the journey is a fun one.
Like this a lot.
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