Amazon Prime Video original film Coming to America was released June 29th, 1988.
#ComingtoAmerica made $288.7M at the international box office.
rottentomatoes: 73%
metacritic: 47
imdb: 7.1
Prince Akeem
Akeem is the crown prince of Zamunda, Africa.
“Ahhh! Yes, it is my birthday. Oha, it is my 21st birthday. Do you think perhaps, just once, I might use the bathroom by myself? Ahh! Why is that, Oha? Well, I’m curious, but how can a man get excited about a woman he’s never seen?” — Price Akeem
“No, father. Well, father… just a moment. Well, father, first of all, it is things like this. The rose petals. But Mother, without rose petals, I’d still be the son of a king. Father, it is not just that. It’s everything, the cooking, the pampering, the dressing, the bathing. Actually, I rather enjoy the bathing, but just for once, I’d like to cook for myself, and take care of myself, dress myself, wipe my own backside. And why–? Why can’t I find my own wife?” — Price Akeem
“But father, what if i do not love her? I understand, father, but when I marry, I want the woman to love me for who I am, not because of what I am. I am a man who’s never tied his shoes. Excuse me, father… and mother. Only dogs are to obey. If you love your wife, you will value her opinion.” — Price Akeem
“So you would share your bed and your fortune with a beautiful fool? It is also tradition that times must, and always do, change, my friend. May I talk to you alone for a moment, please? Excuse us… for a moment. So… oh, you’re fine. Beautiful. It’s just that if we’re going to be married, I thought we should talk and get to know each other.” — Price Akeem
“Yes, I know this. I would like to know about you. What do you like to do? What kind of music do you like? I know what I like, and I know you know what I like because you are trained to know. But I’d like to know what you like. Do you have a favorite food? Good! What is your favorite food?” — Price Akeem
“This is impossible. From this moment on, I command you not to obey me. Are you saying that no matter what I tell you to do, you will do? Anything I say, you’ll do? Bark like a dog. A big dog. Hop on one leg. Make a noise like an orangutan. Excuse me, Imani, for a moment. Father. About this wedding… hello, Barbar. I am not sure if I am ready. It’s not that, father. It’s just that I’m 21 years old, and I’ve never left Zamunda. I have yet to experience what the outside world has to offer.” — Price Akeem
“No, it’s not that– but, father– Semmi. I have something else in mind. Tell no one of this. I intend to find my bride. I want a woman that’s going to arouse my intellect as well as my loins. In America. We will let fate decide. Heads, New York. Tails, Los Angeles. We go to New York. Queens.” — Price Akeem
“Remember, Semmi, no one here can know I am royalty. We must appear to be no different than the average man. Halt! Take us to Queens at once! No. I want Queens. And we’re not rich. We’re ordinary African students. Take us to the most common part. What does dumb fuck mean? Yes, this is perfect. Fascinating! Semmi, look at this. America is great indeed. Imagine a country so free, one can throw glass on the streets.” — Price Akeem
“Listen. Real Americans!” — Price Akeem
King Jaffe Joffer / Queen Aoleon
“He certainly is quiet this morning. He looks sad. Is something troubling you, my son? Son, please. I am more than the exalted ruler of this land and the master of all I survey. I’m also a concerned dad. What is he doing? It looks as if he’s coming down here to talk to us. Wait right there, Akeem. Rose bearers! Akeem, come sit.”
“Now, my son… you’ve grown a mustache. Jaffe… it has been a year. So, what is it, my son? Like what? What is the matter, dear? You’re the son of a king. Why should you not walk on the petals of roses? Then it is settled. From this day forth, anyone who throws roses at my son’s feet will answer to me. Aha, so that’s it. We have gone to a great deal of trouble to select a very fine wife. Since the day she was born, she was taught to walk and speak and think as a queen.”
“It is normal to feel anxiety about meeting your queen. When I first met your father, I was terrified. I must admit, I was frightened too. I was so nervous I became nauseous, but over the years, I have grown to love your father very much. So you see, my son, there is a fine line between love and nausea. And who are you? Wrong. You are a prince who has never tied his shoes. Believe me, I tied my own shoes once. It is an overrated experience.”
“And Semmi, what is it now? Is that so, Semmi? Semmi, do you not have somewhere you should go? Have a good day, my son. My blessing is granted. Let the courtship commence. Ah, I see the two of you are getting along. Fine girl, isn’t she? I told you not to worry. Let them wait! I’m talking to my son. Come… let’s go for a stroll.”
“Time does fly fast, my son. It seems only yesterday I ordered your first diaper changed. Now you’re a man who’s about to be married. She will give you much pleasure, don’t you think? Son, I know we never had to talk about this, but I always assumed you had sex with your bathers. I know I do. Ah, so you want to sow your royal oats. You’re right! Get out, see the world, enjoy yourself, fulfill every erotic desire. And in 40 days, you will come back and marry Imani. It it settled.”
“May I have your attention, please? The wedding will proceed in 40 days. You may go home now. Good night. Oha, prepare the royal baggage. My son is going on a trip.”
Semmi
“Good morning, your majesty. It is another beautiful day in Zamunda. You look especially radiant today, your grace. Yes, I was remarking the other day what lovely skin the queen has. Yes! I was just about to take the birthday boy for his daily workout. Akeem, what happened to the rose bearers?”
“Now let’s see if you can defend yourself, you sweat from a baboon’s balls. So you say can have a woman who’ll obey your every command, but you’d rather have a woman who has an opinion? Hippopotamus shit! You’re the heir to the throne of Zamunda. Your wife need only have a pretty face, a firm backside, and big breasts like casaba melons.”
“That is the way it has always been with men in power. It is tradition. This trip is an excellent idea. Forty days of fornication. What is wrong with the one you have now? When you saw her, didn’t you want to rip her clothes off right then and there? Where will you find such a woman?”
“The land is so big. the choice is so infinite. Where shall we go, Los Angeles or New York? Where in New York can one find a woman with grace, elegance, taste and culture? A woman suitable for a king. Queens. I will not say a word. The Palace sounds good. Take us there.”
Oha
“Happy birthday, your highness. Most amusing, sir. Wipers! His highness must be very excited today. Today is your 21st birthday, which means you meet your wife-to-be.”
“♪She’s your queen-to-be ♪ A queen-to-be forever ♪ A queen who’ll do whatever ♪ His highness desires ♪ She’s your queen-to-be ♪ A vision of perfection ♪ An object of affection ♪ To quench your royal fire ♪ Completely free From infection ♪ To be used At your discretion ♪ Waiting only for your direction ♪ Your queen-to-be ♪”
“Ahem. The guests are waiting, your majesty. Prepare the royal baggage!”
New York
“You dumb fuck! Are you sure you guys want to go to Queens? A couple of rich fellows like you should be in Manhattan, staying at the Waldorf or the Palace. Whatever you say, pal. What part of Queens you want? That’s easy. If there’s one thing Queens has a lot of, it’s common parts.”
“This shitty enough for you? You must be out of your goddamn minds! You’re crazy! I am not crazy!”
“Pound-for-pound, Sugar Ray Robinson’s the greatest fighter ever. Come on, man. What about Joe Louis? The Brown Bomber! Now that was a great boxer! Damn right! I suppose nobody in here ever heard of Cassius Clay? Got a point. Clay was a bad motherfucker. I ain’t saying Clay ain’t bad. I’m just saying I stopped liking Cassius Clay once he changed his name to Muhammad Ali. Wait a second. Wait a second. A man has a right to change his name to whatever he wants to change it to. If a man wants to be called Muhammad Ali, goddamn it, this is a free country. You should respect his wishes, and call the man Muhammad Ali. His mama named him Clay, I’m gonna call him Clay. Mm-hmm. That’s right. I say Clay. Get outta here. That’s right. That’s right.”
Zamunda, Africa
“Good morning, your highness. Good morning, your highness. Good morning, your highness. The royal penis is clean, your highness.”
“Get your royal engagement t-shirt! Royal engagement t-shirt. Step forth! Get your royal engagement t-shirt! These really are delicious. Yes, thank you. Here, try our vintage. Your majesty. I am Colonel Izzi, and today, with your blessing, I offer my daughter to your son.”
“Pardon me. Step aside, please. Coming through! Excuse me! Out of the way! Oh! Greetings, great prince. Presenting Miss Imani Izzi.”
“Am I not all you dreamed I would be? Ever since I was born, I’ve been trained to serve you. Whatever you like. Whatever kind of music you like. Yes. Whatever food you like. No. Yes, your highness. Yes, your highness.”
