Coming to America

Coming to America, Drama, Romance, Directed by John Landis, was released June 29, 1988. Its stars include, Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, and James Earl Jones.

In this movie Prince Akeem, who is portrayed by Eddie Murphy, comes to America in search of true love, and a future princess. He hails from the country of Zamunda, and the overprotective rule of his father the King. The king has arranged for Prince Akeem to get married, but Akeem does not want to be married off to a woman of his parents choosing, but to find his true love.  

This movies opening scene starts off with a glimpse into the everyday life of Prince Akeem. But this particular day happens to be his 21st birthday. Hes awakened by an orchestra, playing soft tunes, royal bathers, and other servants waiting on him, hand and foot.  The opening of the movie introduces you to the characters, and the personalities that will inhabit the story and have you connect. It also opens with conflict. (K.M. Weiland, 339) While it's not particularly a conflict that is physical, it shows you how Prince Akeem is in disagreement with his parents, his privileged life, and their arranged marriage.

Within the first several  minutes of the movie, they establish the shot, Zamunda, a far away country,  present the setting, the royal palace, and the characters positions as well.  (Weiland,339).  You see Akeem at the palace with what appears to be a courtship soiree  to meet his future princess. At this point, you see hundreds of Zamunda dancers come across your screen in elaborate headdresses, and costumes, captivating you with their motion, and movement, giving you a sense of progression, allowing the characters to check in. (Weiland,339)

Prince Akeem seems unfulfilled in life. He has everything one can dream of, but he is missing the most important thing of life, love.  He has been sheltered all his life, with his every need taken care of.  He ends up conversing with the king, and expresses his need to explore. So the king agrees to postpone the wedding, and allows the Prince forty days to sow his wild oats.

.Semmi, doesn't quite agree with the pampered prince. He doesn't see anything wrong with his life. He can't seem to figure out, why Akeem would want to give up everything in search of the unknown. So now they pose the inherent question. Where is he going to find a princess? Where can he find someone who not just loves his status, but loves him? This opening line,or scenes, offer the best opportunity to make a statement of this story. (Weiland 341)

They decide that America would be a suitable place to find a bride. Particularly Queens, NY.  Prince Akeem, and Semmi try to live as meager as possible in hopes to find someone who will learn to love Prince Akeem, and not just the fact that he’s royalty. Prince Akeem ends up going to different places in search of a his future wife. He goes to various clubs, churches, different places. But while on his hunt, he decides in order to be successful in this, he has to play the part of being average. He ends up starting a job at a family franchise, Mcdowells fast food restaurant.  There is where he ends up meeting,Lisa, and that’s where the magic starts.

This movie introduces you to many other characters, that are brought to life by the talent of Murphy, and Hall.  It's a feel good urban spin on Cinderella, and my all time favorite movie, hands down.