Coming to America
dir. John Landis · 1988
Plot
Immersed in luxury and riches, courteous Prince Akeem, the refined heir apparent to Africa's prosperous kingdom of Zamunda, summons up the courage to reject an arranged marriage proposal on his twenty-first birthday. As a result, bent on finding true love, the young blue blood finds himself in the strange urban jungle of New York City's Queens. Now, to mask his regal descent, Akeem, and his trusted valet, Semmi, have to pose as humble exchange students, doing their best to mingle with their neighbours. But, more than anything in the world, the noble bachelor yearns to be loved for who he is, and not for his title. Is Prince Akeem destined to find his soulmate in America's bustling Big Apple?
Why watch
Prince Akeem, determined to find true love, leaves the comforts of his royal life in Zamunda for the bustling streets of New York City. As he navigates the complexities of urban life while disguising his identity, the film unfolds with a delightful mix of humor and romance. Watching it feels like a joyous romp through cultural misunderstandings and heartfelt connections, where laughter and love triumph over societal expectations.