“No Journey Is Too Great When One Finds What He Seeks”: Looking Back On ‘Coming To America’
Eddie Murphy has had an illustrious career and is often regarded as one of the greatest comedians of all time. Starting off as a stand-up comedian, he gained stardom as a leading man in many comedy films in the 1980s. Not all of them are beloved classics, but the one that stands out as having endured the passage of time is 1988’s Coming to America. What on the surface appears to be a simple coming-of-age comedy, where a rich and pampered prince sees the Western world and must learn to live without his privileges, has come to be viewed as a comedic look into the lives of immigrants and a celebration of cultural diversity.
Directed by John Landis, with a screenplay by David Sheffield and Barry W. Blaustein, and a story penned by Eddie Murphy, the film follows African prince Akeem Joffer, played by Murphy, who, on his birthday, realizes he is unsatisfied with his life of wealth and pampering. When faced with an arranged marriage, Akeem sets off on a journey to the United States to find a woman who can challenge him intellectually and love him truly. Alongside his friend and personal aid Semmi, played by Arsenio Hall, the two travel to Queens, New York, and many comedic hijinks ensue as they react to the massive cultural shift. The cast also includes James Earl Jones, John Amos, Madge Sinclair, and Shari Headley.
The film was not a critical darling when it was released on Wednesday, June 29, 1988, and it currently holds a 73% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 55 critics’ reviews. Despite the mixed reception, the film was a box office success, grossing between $290 and $350 million against a budget of $36 million. It was one of the highest-grossing films of that year with a predominantly African American cast. The film’s success was likely due to Murphy’s status as a strong comedic lead, but in subsequent decades, the film has gathered a cult following. So, what makes this Eddie Murphy comedy different from all the rest? Why does it appeal to so many all these years later?
From Africans to Immigrants
Stories of immigrants travelling to America to pursue the American Dream or to escape conflict have been told often, and many feature strong drama and tragedy, often to critique and highlight the difficulties of adapting to a new setting and culture. Rarely is it shown through comedy, which Coming to America manages to do with varying degrees of success. The first subversion can be seen in Akeem as a protagonist. Where many characters are often shocked and bewildered by the cultural differences, Akeem embraces them wholeheartedly, viewing everything as something fascinating. The iconic moment of Akeem yelling “fuck you too” in the morning perfectly sums it up. This makes him a joyful protagonist to follow. Unlike many spoiled, rich princes in fiction, Akeem is open to change and new things, and he is humble and incredibly likable. He embodies the film’s thesis: recognize all cultural differences and embrace them, but also critique when people are treated unfairly.
Akeem’s presentation is certainly subversive of many dominant stereotypes of Africans in Hollywood. First of all, he is from a wealthy family and country, rather than from an impoverished background. He is sophisticated and multi-faceted, as opposed to uneducated. The depiction of the fictional nation of Zamunda showcases a colorful African nation, rich in culture, knowledge, and education. But of course, where it fails is the royal treatment of women, something that Akeem dislikes and discovers a similar issue when he travels to the States. He develops a romantic connection with Lisa McDowell, played by Headley, who also does not wish to have her life dictated by men. This story element isn’t groundbreaking by any means, but Akeem and the depiction of a royal African nation are certainly unique. The casting of James Earl Jones as Akeem’s father certainly feels of the film’s time, he nonetheless brings a gravitas and weight to the role, showcasing the combination of commanding power and worldliness of the nation.
Where the film loses some of its ground-breaking charm is with the plot. The central narrative itself is cliched, the main culprit being Akeem’s efforts to hide his wealth from Lisa, as he must try to get her to love him for who he is. This culminates in a liar reveal and ultimately plays out in a predictable and contrived manner. Nonetheless, the relationship between Akeem and Lisa works excellently to present how, despite their differing backgrounds, they can be united and share common goals. Their respective cultures, although vastly different, unfortunately share similar issues when it comes to their treatment of women. The predictable ending can potentially undermine this message, but given the tone and style of the film, a realistic ending would certainly feel out of place.
Through the film’s comedic lens, Coming to America is able to make fun of and direct attention to the many issues plaguing immigrants and people suffering from poverty. Lisa’s father, Cleo, played by Amos, owns a fast-food restaurant dubbed McDowell’s, which obviously bears remarkable similarities to McDonald’s, whom Cleo is trying to avoid lawsuits from. It’s a fun comedic bit that also showcases the struggles of many immigrants in trying to make a life for their own under the threat of bullying and exploitation by large conglomerates. Another aspect is the obsession with wealth, where Cleo only comes to accept Akeem as a worthy suitor for his daughter after discovering he is wealthy. Where the culture of Zamunda has little interest in accumulating wealth, the culture of America is one of capital gain and material wealth. It embodies the saying, “opposites attract.”
Eddie Murphy, Prince of Zamunda
Certainly, the main reason for this film’s success is Eddie Murphy. He is a strong comedic lead, and the film utilizes his comedic talents incredibly well. There is no doubt that Murphy is the star of the film, and while Akeem is not a three-dimensional paragon of writing, he is certainly a likeable and subversive protagonist. Akeem is unique in the way he embraces all the differences in culture, celebrating every aspect and being excited by everything new. No matter how absurd the culture of America becomes, he finds fascination in it.
This becomes the main drive for the film’s comedy, the contrast between the near-utopian Zamunda and the dirty streets of New York City. Zamunda appears to have no crime whatsoever, whereas Akeem is immediately robbed the moment he sets foot in New York. In any other story, the audience would be treated to a fish out of water story which as mentioned before, is not at all the case. This contrast runs throughout the film. When Akeem goes to a barbershop to get a haircut, the owners and customers are almost always debating something which appears fruitless. Their blistering discussion stands in direct contrast to Akeem’s slow, relaxed way of speaking. In America, something must always be happening, whereas in Zamunda, everything happens at its own pace. Perhaps the best instance of contrast is when the royal family comes to Queens. Their stylish and colorful outfits contrast with the dirty streets and everyday outfits of the residents. It is rare for a Western Hollywood film to depict another culture as aesthetically and monetarily superior to that of the West, but Coming to America dares to show it, albeit for mostly comedic reasons.
There is then, of course, the reverse issue, where Western Hollywood films go from condescension of other cultures to the reverent exoticization of another culture. This is something that Coming to America can absolutely be accused of. It depicts a fictional African nation rather than a real one in order to get around any criticism. The people of Zamunda all speak English for no clear reason, and the cast is primarily American. Zamunda as a nation is seen only through the perspective of the royal family and not of its citizens, leaving it feeling one-dimensional as setting. In addition, there are a lot of exaggerations in the way that Zamunda is depicted, but all of this is ultimately in service of the film’s story. If the film wasn’t a comedy that did not take itself seriously, these issues would certainly come to the forefront, and it would likely not be remembered so fondly today. Alas, that is not the case, and these many issues can be brushed aside as being done for the sake of a fun time.
Where it Stands Today
In today’s world, Coming to America certainly stands as a unique tale among its peers. Akeem, as a protagonist, is subversive in that he is excited and thrilled by the prospect of learning a new culture and cares little for his financial situation, as opposed to a spoiled prince who cannot survive without his many servants. Where this film shines is its comedic approach to a story of immigration. It certainly feels more uplifting and optimistic than other tales of immigration and proves that no matter a person’s background, they can still find the happiness they desire if they stay true to who they are.
Of course, the film’s comedy is certainly its standout aspect, and there is a unique charm to Eddie Murphy that has allowed him to stand the test of time. This film stands as a strong entry into his filmography and is one of the best examples of Murphy as a leading man. The film’s success brought on a sequel in 2021, Coming 2 America, which brought back much of the main cast. That film, however, received a comparatively weaker reception from critics compared to its predecessor. Nonetheless, the fact of its existence certainly proves there is an audience for this style of humor and presentation. But where the sequel fails, apart from being a basic retread, is in its attempts at commentary, something which the original very much succeeds at.
In the end, Coming to America has a lot more to offer than one would expect. It has gained a cult following due to its comedic and optimistic take on the struggles of immigrants as well as its unique depiction of Africans at the time. It may not succeed in every aspect if someone is looking for flawless representation, but those shortcomings could certainly be attributed to the time it was released and the film’s commitment to comedy above all else. It is as fun a time today as it was nearly 40 years ago, and Coming to America should certainly be looked at as a decent example of a comedic take on serious issues.