COMING TO AMERICA
A film review by James Mork
Copyright 1988 James Mork
If you are a Murphy fan, *definitely* see this one. Eddie's character is substantially tamer than usual in this new comedy/romance, but it was still non-stop humor and action. The African Palace related scenes very much reminded me of a 1940s' movie (like the ones Alice Faye, Betty Grable, and all of that crew did). Remember the ones where the props were *obvious* facades and the landscapes *obvious* paintings--*but* you didn't care because the costumes and dances were so eye-catching....
One comment about the movie: The movie is incredibly Black. Sure the movie is about an African prince, but the theme, 99%!!! of the cast, the jokes, and nearly every quality about the film seems to have been pulled out of JET or EBONY magazines. I can't say if this really hurts or helps the film. In fact, pay attention and you will even catch a glimpse of a Black version of a famous French painting (somebody help me out here...the one with the French girl staring forward, dressed like a maid/waitress...Manet? or Monet?) There is quite a bit of background humor to watch for in this one. If someone could send me a note explaining the "Mortimer's money" joke...I'd be grateful (went over my head...and the entire theater was clapping and cheering wildly.) [Moderator's note: The two bums were the businessmen from Murphy's earlier film, TRADING PLACES.]
Murphy does an excellent job of retaining his "Eddie Murphyesque" within a persona that is not his signature street-wise-foul-mouthed-wise-guy. His character is markedly naive to the ways in the "big city" this time. Often I saw his BHC smile on the screen and I had anticipations of his Axel Foley character jumping out at any minute.
Other comments:
The movie's "Ebony Magazine" setting pokes fun of countless Black stereotype--countless. There is a nice, pseudo-insult directed at Whitney. A lot of nice slams directed in the direction of McDonald's restaurants....
If you like any Eddie Murphy flicks at all, this is a must to see, but keep in mind that although he does bend his character a little here and there, he is an African prince in this one.
-JM
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