Introduction Coming to America
Here's a potential introduction for 'Coming to America': "Released in 1988, 'Coming to America' is an American romantic comedy film directed by John Landis and starring Eddie Murphy as Prince Akeem Joffer of the fictional African country of Zamunda. The movie follows the story of Prince Akeem, who is on a mission to find true love after discovering that he has been betrothed to a woman he doesn't know or love at birth. The film was inspired by the experiences of Eddie Murphy's own parents, who moved from the United States to Africa when they were young. Murphy wanted to use his platform as a comedian and actor to create a story that explored African culture and identity in an authentic way. Coming to America is set in the 1980s and follows Prince Akeem as he travels to Queens, New York, under the guise of a student at a local college. He falls in love with a young woman named Lisa McDowell (played by Shari Headley), but faces challenges from his own royal family, as well as her disapproving father, Cleo McDowell (played by John Amos). The film features an ensemble cast of characters, including James Earl Jones as King Jaffe Joffer, Prince Akeem's father, and Madge Sinclair as Queen Aoleon, Prince Akeem's mother. It was praised for its humor, satire, and cultural representation, and is widely considered a classic of African American cinema."
Plot and Themes Coming to America
"Coming to America" is a 1988 American comedy film directed by John Landis. The story follows Prince Akeem Joffer (Eddie Murphy), an African prince who decides to leave his kingdom in search of a bride from outside his royal lineage. Prince Akeem travels to the United States, where he meets Lisa McDowell (Shari Headley), a beautiful and kind-hearted woman working at a New York City department store. Despite their different backgrounds and social classes, the two fall deeply in love. However, Prince Akeem's father, King Jaffe Joffer (James Earl Jones), disapproves of Lisa as he believes she is not suitable for his son. This leads to a series of comedic misunderstandings and cultural clashes between the royal family and Lisa's friends and relatives. As Prince Akeem navigates the challenges of adapting to American culture, he also learns valuable lessons about love, identity, and loyalty. Ultimately, the prince must decide whether to follow his heart or obey his father's wishes. The movie explores themes such as class, race, and cultural differences, all while maintaining a lighthearted and comedic tone. The film also highlights the struggles of navigating two different cultures, particularly for immigrants who come from diverse backgrounds. Overall, "Coming to America" is a humorous and entertaining romp that pokes fun at societal expectations while celebrating love, diversity, and the power of human connection.
Performance and Direction Coming to America
"Coming to America" is a classic romantic comedy film released in 1988. The movie tells the story of Prince Akeem Joffer (Eddie Murphy) from Africa who falls in love with Lisa McDowell (Shari Headley), an American woman he meets in Queens, New York. Here's my evaluation of the performances and direction in the movie: Acting Performances: 1. Eddie Murphy: As the lead character, Prince Akeem, Murphy delivers a stellar performance. He brings his signature blend of humor, charisma, and physical comedy to the role. 2. Shari Headley: Lisa McDowell is well-portrayed by Headley. She captures the character's wit, intelligence, and vulnerability. 3. James Earl Jones: The iconic actor plays King Jaffe Joffer, Akeem's father. He brings gravity and authority to the role. 4. Arsenio Hall: As Semmi, Prince Akeem's trusted friend and advisor, Hall is fantastic in his supporting role. 5. Madge Sinclair: She plays Queen Aoleon, Akeem's mother. Her performance adds depth and warmth to the film. 6. John Amos: His portrayal of Cleo McDowell, Lisa's father, is memorable. Direction: 1. John Landis: The director does an excellent job in balancing humor and heart. He manages to create a romantic comedy that also explores themes of cultural differences and identity. 2. Cinematography: The film features a mix of bright colors and vibrant costumes, which help bring the African setting to life. 3. Editing: The pacing is well-balanced throughout the movie, allowing for both comedic moments and emotional scenes. Overall, "Coming to America" is a memorable romantic comedy with strong performances from its cast. Eddie Murphy shines as Prince Akeem, while James Earl Jones brings gravity and authority to his role as King Jaffe Joffer. The direction by John Landis is excellent, balancing humor and heart in a way that makes the movie both entertaining and meaningful. In conclusion, "Coming to America" is a classic romantic comedy film that still holds up today due to its strong performances from its cast and effective direction.
Technical Aspects Coming to America
Here's a breakdown of the technical aspects of 'Coming to America': **Cinematography**: The film was shot on 35mm film using Panavision cameras. The cinematographer, Robert Brinkmann, used a combination of wide-angle shots to capture the grandeur of the African kingdom and medium shots to focus on the characters' interactions. **Sound Design**: The sound design in 'Coming to America' is notable for its use of humorously exaggerated sound effects, particularly during comedic moments. For example, Prince Akeem's (Eddie Murphy) reactions are often accompanied by cartoonish "boing" sounds when he jumps or gets excited. The film also features a memorable soundtrack with several catchy songs. **Visual Effects**: Despite being released in 1988, 'Coming to America' still holds up well in terms of visual effects. The special effects were handled by Stan Winston's company, which is known for its work on films like the original 'Aliens'. The most notable visual effect is likely the transformation of Prince Akeem into a Westerner at the beginning of the film. **Stunts**: The stunts in 'Coming to America' are relatively simple compared to modern action films. However, they still add to the comedic value of several scenes, such as when Prince Akeem and his friends try to sneak into the royal ball or when they evade the police in a high-speed car chase. **Costume Design**: The costume design in 'Coming to America' is a key aspect of its visual identity. Prince Akeem's elaborate outfits are designed by Deborah Nadoolman Landis, who also worked on other notable films like 'Trading Places' and 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?'. The African costumes are inspired by traditional clothing from various African countries. **Production Design**: The production design in 'Coming to America' is another key aspect of its visual identity. The film's sets were built on soundstages at Paramount Pictures, with the African kingdom being constructed as a large set that included several buildings and streets. The royal palace was designed by artist John Mollo, who also worked on other notable films like 'Alien' and 'Conan the Barbarian'. Overall, 'Coming to America' is a well-crafted comedy with strong technical aspects that help bring its humorous story to life.
More Details Coming to America
"Coming to America" is a classic comedy film directed by John Landis and released in 1988. Here are some interesting facts about its production: **Cast:** * Eddie Murphy as Prince Akeem Joffer / Clarence/Randy Watson * James Earl Jones as King Jaffe Joffer (Prince Akeem's father) * Arsenio Hall as Semmi, Prince Akeem's friend and advisor * Madge Sinclair as Queen Aoleon (Prince Akeem's mother) * Paul Bates as Cleo McDowell, a small-time entrepreneur in Queens * Shari Headley as Lisa McDowell, Cleo's daughter and the woman Prince Akeem falls for * John Amos as Russell McDowell, Lisa's father **Production Companies:** * Paramount Pictures * Eddie Murphy Productions * Silver Screen Partners II * Landis Entertainment Company **Trivia:** 1. **Eddie Murphy wrote the script:** The film was written by Eddie Murphy and Barry W. Blaustein, but Murphy is credited with writing most of the dialogue. 2. **John Amos was not initially cast as Russell McDowell:** Amos was originally supposed to play Cleo McDowell, but he declined due to creative differences with Eddie Murphy. Murphy then asked him to play Lisa's father instead. 3. **The film took over six months to shoot:** Due to the complexity of filming multiple locations in both Los Angeles and Africa (for scenes set in Zaire), production was stretched out over several months. 4. **John Landis wanted to make a more serious film:** Despite the film's comedic tone, Landis aimed to create a more dramatic movie about a prince leaving his kingdom for love. Murphy, however, insisted on adding more humor and slapstick comedy. 5. **The famous McDonald's scene was filmed at an actual location:** The iconic scene where Prince Akeem (Murphy) and Semmi (Arsenio Hall) try to order food at a McDonald's in Queens was filmed at the real restaurant on 125th Street in Harlem, New York City. **Box Office:** * "Coming to America" was a commercial success, grossing over $288 million worldwide on a budget of around $40 million. * The film received positive reviews from critics, with an approval rating of 77% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Conclusion Coming to America
In the iconic comedy 'Coming to America', Prince Akeem Joffer, heir to the throne of Zamunda, travels to Queens, New York in search of his true love, Lisa McDowell. Along with his loyal servant Oha, they face numerous challenges as they adapt to American culture and customs. The film's greatest strength is its blend of humor and cultural commentary. The comedy is both cleverly written and well-executed, making for a highly entertaining viewing experience. Additionally, the cast delivers standout performances, particularly Eddie Murphy in multiple roles. The chemistry between Prince Akeem and Lisa McDowell is undeniable, adding to the film's charm. However, 'Coming to America' also has its weaknesses. At times, the pacing feels slow, and some of the supporting characters feel underdeveloped. Furthermore, the film relies heavily on slapstick humor and stereotypes, which may be off-putting for some viewers. Despite these flaws, I believe that 'Coming to America' is a classic comedy that holds up remarkably well even today. Its blend of humor, cultural commentary, and memorable performances make it a must-watch for fans of the genre. If you can overlook the film's imperfections, you'll find yourself laughing and enjoying every minute of this iconic rom-com.