Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that there's plenty of foul language and some negative female stereotypes to watch out for here.
Families who see this movie could discuss the role of women in society -- what's your view? Do you think it's something to joke about like they do here? They could also discuss the pros and cons of arranged marriages, and the way other countries view Americans.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Common Sense Media
Despite some sexist and racist quirks, COMING TO AMERICA comes through as a funny trip back to the comedy stylings of 1988. The basic storyline concerns pampered African Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy), heir to the throne and fabulous riches. He's reached marriageable age, and his parents have found him a suitable bride. But Akeem wants a woman who loves him for what he is, not what he has, and he travels to America with his valet Semmi (Arsenio Hall) to find his soul mate. He finds one in the person of Lisa (Shari Headley), the daughter of a Queens restaurateur.
Everything about COMING TO AMERICA is fairly predictable. Lisa's soon-to-be jealous boyfriend is the scion of a chain of African-American hair products called (shudder) Soul-Glo. Lisa and Akeem get together in the most standard boy-meets-girl/boy-loses-girl/boy-gets-girl-in-the-end way possible. The movie has its moments -- Murphy and Hall play multiple roles in the movie, and some of them are pretty cute -- and certainly Murphy was in his prime. Some sexist and lurid overtones are cringe-worthy, but it's small potatoes compared to the fat-suited Murphy of today.
Families who enjoy Coming to America may like other Eddie Murphy comedies like The Nutty Professor or The Golden Child, or goofy '80s comedies like National Lampoon's Vacation or Better Off Dead.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentBare breasts are lingered upon just minutes into the movie; contact between the movie's royals and their servants is discussed explicitly. |
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ViolenceCartoonish scuffling in several scenes. |
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LanguageMore f-words and other epithets than you can shake a stick at. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoCharacters are shown drinking cocktails and beer at a bar and at home. |
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