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Wry and whimsical modernizing of Mr. Smith Goes To Washington

This one is unexpectedly terrific and clever.Next to 48 hours, this is Eddie Murphy's best performance ever. Eddie Murphy is a small-time con man who uses congressman James Garner's sudden death to propel himself into the biggest con game of all -- Washington politics. As he learns along the way, his character grows, but so does his conscience.Eddie Murphy handles the entire transformation remarkably well. Lane Smith, Kevin McCarty, Grant Shaud, and Sheryl Lee Ralph are all terrific in supporting roles. There is no profanity in this one, just a marvelous updating of a holiday classic.

You know this movie is a disappointment when...

Victoria Rowell plays the love interest! Victoria Rowell? Victoria Rowell? Victoria Rowell?!? A soap opera actress? Drucilla from the Young And The Restless?!? No wonder this movie was a big disappointment.I was hoping that this would of been a return to glory for Eddie Murphy, doing pure comedy after the comedy-drama of Boomerang, but this one is too serious and preachy. The set-up sounds great: Murphy plays Jeff Johnson, a hustler who decides to lie his way to Congress by claiming to be the elected Congressman from some backwoods part of America who elected a dead man to the post. He uses this post to hopefully earn a decent living and sham his way to more. Instead, he discovers that some government officials are even more corrupt than he is and he must use his "power" to make things right for the little guy.While a movie like this could have been good, Eddie is placed in a vacuum. He can't play the type of guy we all liked in earlier films; instead he's forced to play a kinder, gentler, clichéd type, even from the start. No wisecracks, no flamboyant personality, no life. His no-name associates seem to have more life than he has. He doesn't even do his laugh. We also get to see a classic Hollywood sex scene featuring James Garner (people having sex while fully dressed, seen in so many films). The acting, other than Kevin McCarthy's corrupt Congressman, is flat, and you wonder who decided to allow an untalented soap opera diva in this film. Bottom line: You can see why it took Murphy a little longer to turn his career around with the acceptance of this role. While Beverly Hills Cop 3 wasn't a box office hit, it was much better than this effort. One of the biggest letdowns ever.

Eddie Murphy Goes to WASHINGTON DC!!

I Think this was a good comedy and it has a good storyline too.
Eddie was at the top of his game and working his way to the top in WASHINGTON. Move over Obama my vote goes to Eddie for PRESIDENT!!
I rate this move a 8 from 1to10!!

Please let's give this guy a big hand!!!

Once in awhile Eddie Murphy will come out with a great film that puts his comedy into perspective and instead of just being silly he might actually try to say something. While this movie was not as successful as some of his other movies it is still pretty funny. In this movie he is a con artist who uses the same name as a dead congressman to get elected as a member of a very small party.While it may be a little predictable the movie does have some interesting about how politicians operate and how bad the system can be. Murphy does an excellent job but as is often true of Murphy films many in the supporting cast are excellent as well. Lane Smith and Joe Don Baker.Special mention should be given to Charles S. Dutton who plays a very socially conscious representative who is extremely honest. His character name is Elijah Hawkins, from Maryland. I am not sure but I believe he is based on an actual Maryland congressman named Elijah Cummings, but I do not know for sure.In this movie James Garner has a small part and watch for a hilarious two minute long appearance by Della Reese. The script is only OK but Murphy really is the glue that holds it together. He is a great one-man band. One of the best parts of the movie is the finale where of course (spoiler) the bad guys are exposed for the crooks they are. This is not Murphy's best role but he does all right here. I do recommend this movie, any Eddie Murphy fan should enjoy this, or anyone looking for a good laugh.

disappointing but has some moments.

I am a political junky AND an Eddie Murphy fan and I had great expectations for this movie. And for the most part the first half has pretty interesting and entertaining. But the script bogged down and just flattened out towards the end. EM still makes it fun to watch. This is a rental, not a purchase.

Boy, politicians should have been great fodder for a comedy but this movie missed its potential

One of the Best Political Comedies Ever

I've seen Citizen Kane and wasn't half as impressed with it as I was with this film which I credit to producer and writer Marty Kaplan (who, as I understand, is a CPA). The only thing this movie lacks is violence and nudity, not that it needs either.I've never seen a more thorough and realistic comedy about government and politics before or since this film. Only Bulworth comes close, yet the solutions suggested in that film were just as liberal as the institution it parodied. There are a few liberal connotations in The Distinguished Gentleman (particularly environmental), but they are immediately balanced and authenticated by the conditions presented in the story.This film isn't an absolute probe into political science, but it gives a more lucid perspective of politics than the media would ever care to attempt. Eddie Murphy's performance is vintage, particularly his mimicking skills and his genuine comedic brilliance. A moment that defines the film is when his character gives a victory speech which consists exclusively of several cliches coined by historic politicians ("'Four score and seven years ago...' 'If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen...' 'We have nothing to fear but fear itself...' 'Ask not what your country can do for you...' and in conclusion 'Read my lips!'"). The crowd response, as with actual politicians, is full of mindless cheers of concurrence.Political experts may find this film silly and full of inconsistencies. Yet, the fact is, most movies are silly compared to reality. This film, however, does not insult the viewer and gives political novices a good idea of political mechanics while presenting a hilarious performance. The fact presented in this film is that the most powerful people are the most corrupt, and corruption can only be defeated by more clever and deceptive corruption.This is not a film for "Generation X"ers who rate a film on its music soundtrack and how thoroughly the females cast in it prostitute themselves. If you appreciate the comedy of Eddie Murphy and have a critical appreciation for politics, you will enjoy this film.I'd give it a 9.5, but the IMDB won't allow decimals.

One of Eddie's Toppers

I really enjoyed this movie again. After having viewed it several times in the passed I decided that it must be in my collection. Charlton Francisco

More story than fun -- but still lotsa fun

There were so many spots that seemed to demand "more Eddie." He only did a couple of impersonation schticks (during the campaign in the van scene, and the nerdy guy visiting the dead congressman's widow), and I wanted more! They were great.The story is good, too. A con artist decides to become a congressman and play the game, only to find out that the issues involved are not a game. He becomes a person who cares.Granted, it's a comedy, but it continues to remind us that, as long as humans run organizations, is ANY organization pure virtue and no vice? Religion? Law enforcement? Academia? Government? Corporate society? Sports? Is any system free of corruption?We all live in glass houses. And there are individuals out there trying at least to keep their windows clean.

Wonderful satire!

As a political wonk, I found this movie perfect! I think this is the best Eddie Murphy movie ever! Actually, I am disappointed it took me so long to see it (today, 12/28/02). I was amazed at the negative reviews. What is these people's problem? That the US government doesn't work like this? Or that Eddie's character could actually realize that screwing ordinary citizens is different from swindling corporations and rich people?

Highly Entertaining

This overlooked Eddie Murphy from 1992 gem is much better than most critics would have you believe. Murphy plays a charming con man who swindles his way into Congress through voter inattention -- they think he's the incumbent, who is actually deceased. What starts as a game to merely soak the job for all it's worth turns into an unlikely effort to make a real difference. Several scenes are laugh-out-loud, particularly early on. Though a shade overlong, the story is engaging enough to keep the viewer's attention, and it serves up some nice potshots at how bloated and self-serving government has become. One of Murphy's best 'non-family' entries.

A Black President

I guess this film was probably a political statement in its concept that there should be a black president in the White House. It was made after the Gulf War and around the time that Colin Powell became high profile as one of the generals taking command in the 1990 crisis. Apart from the fact that the film tried to explore the idea of having a black president, there wasn't much substance there in terms of storyline. It had James Garner riding a secretary at the beginning of the film (which all red blooded blokes would want to do), and then dies of a heart attack. If Eddie Murphy had taken his place and stepped in to ride the blonde secretary, then maybe the balance would have been redressed in an artistic way. The film also showed an aging Diane Black from Alfred Hitchcock's 'Marnie' whose hair was no longer dark. Apart from this, there was nothing original about the film.

The Distinguished Eddie

To really appreciate this film, you have to consider that it was released in 1992 when the Democrats controlled the House and the Senate and graft and corruption were the rules of Congress. The film centers around Murphy as a con man who gets himself elected to Congress and his attempts to put as much money in his pocket as possible.In order to maximize his influence with lobbyists, Murphy gets himself appointed to the most powerful committee in Congress, which in real-life is the Ways & Means Committee and when this film was made, was run by Dan Rostenkowski, but in the film is run by the equally corrupt Dick Dodge.In 1994, Rostenkowski was indicted on corruption charges and stepped down as Ways and Means chairman; he lost his House seat in the Congressional elections later that year. He pleaded guilty to mail fraud in 1996, and was fined and served (1996–97) a 17-month sentence. One of the great things about this film is how it parallels the real-life Congress and how sleazy things were run under the Democrats when they controlled it. This film is a must for anyone interested in politics and for anyone that would like to see Murphy play a different role than his usual fare.

The Professor Scene...

When Eddie was dressed as a professor to visit the grieving widow, the conversation flowed to obtaining the campaign items and Mrs Johnson did let him have it! Interesting to note, Mrs Johnson admired the Professor's physical fitness. It suggested something to the tone... "My husband never gave me any, since he was doing the secretary, now its MY turn!" If you replay the scene where Eddie Murphy approaches Mrs Johnson of obtaining the campaign items, the flow later suggests she like to hit on a black man. Notice Eddie's "squirmyness" as Mrs Johnson's interest peaks. ;) I could be wrong, but Mrs Johnson likes variety in her men. :)

Required viewing for the voting public

The movie should be on the required list for viewing by voters. It is spot-on about the 'ways and means' available in D.C. We weren't sure how it managed to get released until we realized that likely no one realized it was so close to the truth that it would only be seen as fiction. Excellent, funny, Murphy was great as the con artist, and was able to show his many talents as a mimic.

Mr. Murphy goes to Washington!

Edward Regan "Eddie" Murphy goes to Washington,D.C. in this film directed by Jonathan Lynn(MY COUSIN VINNY). Murphy,over the years,starred in many films produced by Paramount,but this one is a property of Hollywood Pictures,a subsidiary of Buena Vista and a sister of Touchstone. Murphy plays a congressman who goes out of his way to frame a colleague of his who's a devious criminal. Murphy is either mildly vulgar or not vulgar at all unlike when he's on stage. Around the time of this 1992 theatrical release,Murphy began to clean his image,in the aspect of film roles. He remains profane on the stage today because fans expect that of him.

Eddie Murphy's best performances.

Eddie Murphy plays a con turned congressman. He goes to Washington and cons he way into congress. This movie has a lot of political humor that holds true about the Capital and politics today. Murphy fits this role to a T and one his best acting performances. Well worth to trouble to see.

Yea, It's Bad

I too cannot believe all the positive reviews for this movie. My theory is it's so bad most people didn't even bother commenting on it. It's just so poorly constructed, from the weak & predictable humor to the sloppy editing that plagues every other scene (someone will be standing there holding something, then it will disappear at a different angle, then the camera angle switches again and they'll be missing an arm or something. Seems like even the editor couldn't even stand to concentrate on it).Yes, Washington is this corrupt. In some ways the cartoonish depiction is well-done, but the mostly it's just a device for lame jokes. Eddie Murphy had lost all his youthful charm by this time this came out, and he's simply pretentious. This whole thing is so cheeeessssyyyy. Feels like an uncensored TV movie.Not recommended.

Good start, average middle, cheesy ending

Eddie Murphy is a man capable of high energy humor, and is efficient with his broad smile, mimics and impersonations. And this movie gives him some great moments especially in the beginning.Eddie Murphy starts as a Florida con 'artist' accompanied by some accomplices blackmailing people who use his private fake phone-sex service. While racketing a congressman, he finds out that running for Congress will earn him more money than he does now. His asset to get elected is his name which he shares with a just-deceased congressman called Jeff Johnson. His way to the top of course hardly meets any difficulty but, after all, this is a comedy so we don't mind as long as it's entertaining.But then things go wrong, Johnson meets a Pro Bono lobbyist, falls in love with her pretty fast but their relationship doesn't add anything to the movie and is not developed and chemistry between both actors is obviously missing.First, Johnson enjoys his journey at the Congress but he soon realizes he can't keep a straight face and simultaneously take part to the different frauds and corruption present.This is where the movie takes a turn for the serious and forgets it started out as a comedy. It's now trying to make a point. Johnson accepts to help a town where children are submitted to the negative effects of power high lines causing a great deal of them to suffer from cancer. Johnson develops a plan to force Congress to do something and expose publicly the aforementioned frauds and corruption. All this is done in an unexplainable cheesy way.Shame, as the movie contained some good ideas for a comedy but director Jonathan Lynn seems to have been distracted and forgot that his original intention was to make a good comedy with Eddie Murphy having a good time at Congress.

should be required viewing of every American

i found myself laughing nervously at this movie. not that it isn't absolutely hilarious (it is). it's just that the movie hits too close to the concerns i feel when i view the "comedy" that goes on every day in washington!if it weren't for the blatantly funny lines and over-the-top portrayal by murphy, i think this could be classified as a "black comedy". to me, it's almost as scary as "seven days in may". instead of a military takeover of the government, it's been taken over by people who have the money to buy congressional votes! the scary part is that it's already happened!i think that "the distinguished gentleman" should be required viewing of every american that is of voting age! maybe it would mobilize us to become more vocal when it comes to capturing back our representatives' attention!

Did i see the same movie as everyone else????

Hmmm...I must be in the silent minority on this one. I thought this movie was absolutely atrocious. The plot was flimsy, the film moved WAY to fast at the beginning, and the big conspiracy was about power lines causing cancer...It was sad that was the best they could come up with. If you want to see truly great acting by Eddie Murphy, rent Bowfinger, Coming to America, or Trading Places. If you want to see a jumbled mess, watch this movie instead.