Coming to America

“This summer, Prince Akeem discovers America.”

6.9

1988

1h 57m

ComedyRomance

Director: John Landis

Overview

An African prince decides it’s time for him to find a princess... and his mission leads him and his most loyal friend to Queens, New York. In disguise as an impoverished immigrant, the pampered prince quickly finds himself a new job, new friends, new digs, new enemies and lots of trouble.

Trailer

Paramount Movies Trailer Official

Cast

Prince Akeem / Clarence / Randy Watson / Saul

Eddie Murphy

Prince Akeem / Clarence / Randy Watson / Saul

Semmi / Extremely Ugly Girl / Morris / Reverend Brown

Arsenio Hall

Semmi / Extremely Ugly Girl / Morris / Reverend Brown

Lisa McDowell

Shari Headley

Lisa McDowell

Cleo McDowell

John Amos

Cleo McDowell

King Jaffe Joffer

James Earl Jones

King Jaffe Joffer

Queen Aoleon

Madge Sinclair

Queen Aoleon

Darryl Jenks

Eriq La Salle

Darryl Jenks

Patrice McDowell

Allison Dean

Patrice McDowell

Landlord

Frankie Faison

Landlord

Maurice

Louie Anderson

Maurice

Oha

Paul Bates

Oha

Hold-Up Man

Samuel L. Jackson

Hold-Up Man

Reviews

Gimly

Hasn't aged flawlessly, made some stylistic decisions that probably would have come across as weird even at the time, and not the sort of thing (American comedy) that typically appeals to me. But I can still absolutely see why _Coming to America_ is remembered as fondly as it is. I liked it by and large more than the most similar offerings of today. _Final rating:★★½ - Not quite for me, but I definitely get the appeal._

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r96sk

I didn't enjoy it as much as expected, but <em>'Coming to America'</em> is nevertheless still good. Eddie Murphy is unsurprisingly the star of the film. Any notable scenes include him, which isn't a shock given the obvious and the fact he plays a number of characters; on that note, only Akeem amused me - the barber shop guys... not so much, to be honest. James Earl Jones (Jaffe), John Amos (Cleo) and Frankie Faison (landlord) are the most noteworthy in terms of those away from the lead, while there is even an appearance from someone named Samuel L. Jackson - what ever happened to that guy?! I wanted/anticipated much stronger humour, if only due to Murphy's presence. I can't say I laughed that much, which is disappointing. The romance parts are probably more memorable to me, even if it's kinda familiar in those regards. With all that said, I can see why loads thoroughly enjoy this - it just didn't fully land on me, personally. Still worth viewing and I'm very much up to see the sequel.

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Wuchak

_**My all-time favorite comedy**_ In "Coming to America" (1988) Eddie Murphy plays the likable prince of a rich African kingdom, Akeem. He comes to Queens to find his future queen accompanied by his best friend & servant, Semmi, played by Arsenio Hall. He understandably wants a wife who will love him for who he is and not for his great riches. So they get hired at McDowell's, a McDonald's knock-off, where he meets the shining daughter of the owner (Shari Headley). Is she the one? Will she find a fast-food mop boy appealing enough to marry? As noted in my title blurb, "Coming to America" is my all-time favorite comedy. Why? Simply because it's a laugh-riot from beginning to end. The first time I saw it was on TV in 2000 and I couldn't stop laughing; I saw it again last night (after purchasing it) and it had the same effect. Everything works here -- the characters, the jokes, the story -- to make "Coming to America" one of the greatest comedies ever made. GRADE: A+

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