This weekend marks the 25th anniversary of Coming to America, one the most phenomenal films to come out of Hollywood. The creative genius of Eddie Murphy, the strong casting of actors who were at their prime (as well as those yet to shine), the beautiful script (loaded with bits that have become cinematic karaoke), the savvy positioning of African and African-American culture, the magic of a John Landis film and the iconic characters, half of whom, it seems, were portrayed by Murphy or Arsenio Hall.
It is the film you judge others for having not seen (well, really, your mind explodes at the impossibility of that), experienced by fans for a number of times that cannot be counted. Naming a single favorite part is impossible. Coming to America is a capsule to time that is exclusively the 1980s, packaged in a classic tale of love, led by a man who really opened the box on roles for black characters, with an insatiable and brilliant urge to play all of them. Within four years of the film, Boomerang would arrive in theaters, introducing the black romantic comedy as a viable box office script. And for as good as almost every Eddie Murphy film is, nothing can really compare to Coming to America. It is an enduring mark of a moment of magical creative alignment.
The other day, while I was waiting for my receipt to print at Starbucks, the barista smiled boldly, looked into my eyes and proclaimed, “When you think of skinny mocha grande expressos, think of Amari.” He cheesed, waiting while a look of uneasy confusion took over my face in ana awkward half-smile. ”It’s a Coming to America reference,” he explained. His name being Amari, instead of Akeem; it being fancy coffee, instead of garbage. ”Yeah, I get it,” I just don’t want the guy working at the most convenient Starbucks to my office is going to pick up the habit of flirting with me. Taking my receipt, I accept that if I am the Lisa in this scenario, I would end up with Darryl. (Womp, womp.)
Love Majic 107.5 / 97.5 Atlanta? Get more! Join the Majic 107.5 / 97.5 Atlanta Newsletter
We care about your data. See our privacy policy.
Though it was an uncomfortable exchange between two strangers, it was also a testament to the 80′s comedic classic film that remains a surefire mode of social currency well two decades years later. I attribute the endurance of Kanye’s “Gold Digger” to the McDowells employee roadmap reference in the lines, “He got ambition, baby, look into his eyes, this week he’s mopping the floor, next week it’s the fries.” nd I have been subjected to the unexpected, always hilarious, “A-hah, a-hah!” reference from a coworker at the end of conversations that have nothing to do with missing spoons.
Frankie Faison, who now stars in Banshee on CINEMAX, shared the thought, ”Even if you always strive to create something that lands itself in an iconic category, you’re not aware if it at the time. With COMING TO AMERICA we were out to create a story about family, love and communication and while it’s usually viewed as a black film, I’ve always thought of it as a universal story that everyone can relate to — for me that defines it as a classic American story. Twenty-five years later, looking back, I feel so honored and privileged to have been apart of it because it has touched so many different generations of people from different backgrounds, and hopefully it continues to do so.” Faison, who played the Landlord, went on to featured roles in Silence of the Lambs, The Thomas Crown Affair, and The Wire, as well as Tony Award-nominated performance in Fences.
In trying to think through how to tribute the milestone of a classic movie, it occurred to me, given the universal reach of comedy, that as much one could have grown up on The Cosby Show, the same is true of a movie like Coming to America, and perhaps more so. After all we came out a bit edgier, a bit sassier, a bit more interesting than we would have been solely left to the devices of Mr. Huxtable. And in any situation, whenever you are in doubt, there is a Coming to America line the scenario. It is the Godfather of comedy films.
And my favorite part…it’s when Akeem gives the money to the homeless Randolph and Mortimer. For years, I didn’t appreciate it because I hadn’t seen Trading Spaces. But now…Ah-hah! Ah-hah! (See that was two.)
From the dating maestro, Paul C. Brunson, to the latest wizard of media Issa Rae, here are a few other favorite memories of Coming to America from influencers who came of age mastering Akeem-isms as a second language.
Daria S. Burke, Founder, Black MBA Women
“One of my all-time favorites, Coming to America is the epitome of original comedy. Each character (including NYC itself) is so well written and performed, down to Sam Jackson’s role as the intended robber at McDowell’s. Coming to America is pop culture, resonating with more than just black Americans. My favorite scene is definitely the African dance performance at the beginning. It was the first time I’d seen an African performance that was elegant and respectful of the art. It was treated with the care that you see with classic ballets. In fact, Coming to America was the first portrayal of wealthy Africans/royalty that I had ever seen. Of course most of the actors were African-American, but there was such a dignity, grace and pride with which they carried themselves. Before that, I had only seen Africans as slaves or white actors playing Egyptians. Zumunda was magical. I remember running to the encyclopedia to see if the country was real!”
Daria S. Burke will be hosting a weeklong career series on BlackEnterprise.com in July. To learn more about Black MBA Women visit the website and follow Daria on Twitter.
Robert Reffkin, Founder, Urban Compass
“For me, Coming to America is all about three moments: when Akeem first sees his wife-to-be at the church event, and ends up throwing a huge wad of money in collection, when Akeem looks at a globe to decide where to find a wife, he sees “Queens,” a burough of New York City, and decides that’s the best place, and the reaction of Mr. McDowell when he finds out that Akeem is a wealthy Prince, and how quick he is to kick the Soul Glo guy to the curb.”
Robert Reffkin’s venture UrbanCompass.com is a newly launched platform that modernizes the apartment search process in New York City by adding social and hyperlocal engagement tools. The exciting venture has received the support of Mayor Mike Bloomberg who attended the Urban Compass launch event. He is also the Founder and Chairman of the mentoring program New York Needs You, which supports first generation college students. Follow Urban Compass on Twitter.
Njideka Akunyili, artist“I remember seeing Coming to America for the first time with my sisters and brother. It was a rare treat, because our only TV station, NTA, showed one movie a week. Even though, at that point, we had never left Nigeria, the jokes still resonated with us because we grew up in a small town but had gone to the big city, Lagos, for holidays. Coming to America was a hit in NIgeria when it came out. I think it was a success because it taped into something that is universal – everyone understands the comedy of errors that comes with moving from one place to a very different place. It is hard to pick a single favorite scene…There’s the scene from the basketball game, when Akeem goes to the bathroom and his fellow Zamundan recognizes him and can’t stop bowing. The rose bearers and how hard Akeem tried to be un-princely always make me laugh…but the thing that keeps me cracking up is the name of the country, Zamunda. It is the perfect made up African country name. It’s gibberish, but sounds authentic because it brings to mind Zambia, Rwanda, Uganda, Botswana, etc. You couldn’t make up a better one.”
Njideka’s work will be featured in the Bronx Museum‘s “Bronx Calling: The Second AIM Biennial”, which runs through September 8, 2013, and at the Victoria Miro Gallery in London for the “Cinematic Visions: Painting at the Edge of Reality” presentation that runs through August 3, 2013. She has previously shown at the Studio Museum in Harlem. To see more of her work, visit her online portfolio.
Muta’Ali Muhammad, filmmaker“‘Just let your Soul Glo!’ Coming to America is a timeless classic. The best Eddie Murphy movie of all time. I love the adventurous, fun, and message-filled ridiculousness in the film. My favorite scenes are: (1) When the barber snips off Eddie’s tail and says, ‘That’ll be eight dollas,” and (2) The Reverend’s pageant scene when the brother puts chicken in the offering plate and (3) when my man [Eddie Murphy as “Randy Watson”] drops the mike and yells “Sexual Chocolate!” Just saying those lines makes me smile to this day.”
Muta’Ali is finishing production on his latest documentary on his iconic grandparents Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, Life’s Essentials with Ruby Dee.
Issa Rae, Online & Television Content Creator and co-host of “Exhale” on ASPIRE
“Coming to America is one of my favorite movies EVER. It’s one of those films that you can watch every time it comes on television. It’s a pop culture phenomenon and the fact that people still reference things like, “Soul Glo,” “A-haaa” and “Sexual Chocolate” 25 years later is a testament to Eddie Murphy’s genius. Even his versatility in terms of playing multiple characters in a movie is something that clearly influenced other comedians of our time. Also, as a Senegalese-American, I appreciated that it countered the stereotypical, impoverished images of Africa that we were so used to seeing at that time. It brought on a shift in dumb questions from, ‘Oh you’re from Africa — do you hunt lions?’ to ‘Oh, you’re from Africa — is your family royalty?’ Progress.”
Issa Rae is the multitalented mind behind several celebrated online programs. Currently, she is co-hosting ASPIRE’s new roundtable talk show, “Exhale” which air Wednesdays and premiered Thursday June 27th. She is also coming out with a new show for ALRIGHT TV called “The Choir.” Stay up to date with Issa Rae via Twitter.
