COMING TO AMERICA (1988) is a crowd favorite among romantic comedies and considered one of Eddie Murphy’s best films. It serves up a lighthearted, Cinderella-type story, non-stop laughs and gives us too many memorable (and quotable) scenes to count. Also, there’s a shrouded controversy and ton of backstory surrounding the film. For this Eddie Murphy-centered episode, we travel from Africa to New York to suss out the story behind COMING TO AMERICA!
▶️Synopsis: Prince Akeem of Zamunda wants nothing more than to marry a woman who loves him for who he is, not because of his immense wealth. After postponing his arranged marriage, Akeem travels to New York City to pose as an exchange student, work a regular job, and search for his future bride-to-be.
⏩⏩Discussions include: Murphy’s relationship with director John Landis and his first endeavor into makeup/prosthetics from special effects master, Rick Baker. Murphy vs. studio reaction to actors playing multiple characters. Cast breakdown, the intended vision for the fictional nation of Zamunda, followed up by the lawsuit concerning the original script. An overall view of Murphy’s career, the COMING TO AMERICA sequel and all our favorites moments sprinkled in between. **Starring Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Shari Headley, John Amos, James Earl Jones, Madge Sinclair. Directed by John Landis.**
▶️**PICKS OF THE WEEK**
Justin’s Pick — LIFE (1999): Set in 1932, two men are framed for a crime they didn’t commit and sentenced to serving life in prison together. Though a comedy, the film’s tight script and solid performances lend to some serious realness, making for a sleeper of a truly great film. **Starring Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, Bernie Mac, Ned Beatty. Directed by Ted Demme.**
Lindsay’s Pick — GOLDEN CHILD (1986): In this fantasy-adventure film, a Los Angeles social worker is sought out and informed he is the only person that can rescue a kidnapped Tibetan boy who happens to be the savior of all humankind. **Starring Eddie Murphy, Charlotte Lewis, Charles Dance. Directed by Michael Ritchie.**
▶️MURRAY(Murphy)MOMENT: In this extra special Season 6 opening monologue of SNL, Eddie comes out to save a spastic Billy, as the two end up channeling another legendary comedy duo.
▶️FINAL THOUGHTS: COMING TO AMERICA’s connection to another Murphy film, TRADING PLACES; Who is Darla the dog?; Landis’ motivation behind putting Murphy in whiteface.
▶️NEXT UP: ERASERHEAD (1977)!
Episode 96 : Reservoir Dogs
Episode 95 : Lethal Weapon 2
Episode 94 : Jackie Brown
Episode 93 : ALIENS
Episode 92 : The Breakfast Club
Episode 91 : Ivan Reitman Retrospective
Episode 90 : The Wedding Singer
Episode 89 : The Godfather
Episode 88 : Girl, Interrupted
Episode 87 : Ghost
Episode 86 : The Shawshank Redemption
Episode 85 : Raiders Of The Lost Ark
Episode 84 : The Evil Dead (1981)
Episode 83: My Bloody Valentine
Episode 82: American Werewolf In London
Episode 81 : Rushmore
Episode 80 : Beverly Hills Cop
Episode 79 : Waiting For Guffman
Episode 78 : Taxi Driver
Episode 77: Ghost World
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