Podcast Summary
Exploring the History of 'Coming to America': Discovering the original scripts and behind-the-scenes memorabilia deepens our appreciation for beloved films, revealing differences and adding context to the final product.
The appreciation for beloved films, like "Coming to America," extends beyond just watching them. The original scripts and behind-the-scenes memorabilia add depth to the experience. During this special crossover episode of "Small Doses" and "Adventures in Black Cinema," hosts Amanda Seales and Desmond Thorne discussed the significance of "Coming to America" and the impact of its production. Desmond shared his personal collection of memorabilia, including the original script, which revealed differences from the final film. The cast's performances brought the script to life, elevating the humor. Paramount's mandate led to the addition of Louie Anderson to the cast. This episode highlights the importance of critically engaging with black films and the value of exploring the history behind them.
Resistance to black love in Hollywood: Hollywood executives once resisted a black actor's decision to have a black wife in a movie, highlighting the subtle yet significant forms of racism in the industry, and the importance of authentic representation and diverse casting.
Racism exists in Hollywood in subtle yet significant ways, even in the film industry's liberal circles. A black actor's decision to have a black wife in a movie was met with resistance from executives who believed audiences would not accept it. This issue extends beyond representation on screen to the representation of black love and the telling of authentic stories. The impeccable character work in movies like "Coming to America" showcases the importance of representation and the impact of diverse casting. The film's seamless integration of multiple characters and memorable performances is a testament to the power of well-written scripts. Despite the success of the film, director Joe Landis wanted to release a director's cut due to pacing concerns, but Paramount declined. The importance of every line in the script, which advances the story or tells a joke, highlights the thoughtful nature of the film's creation.
Discussing authenticity in black films directed by white people: During a cookout discussion, hosts evaluate 'Beloved's authenticity, with varying opinions on Oprah Winfrey's casting and director Jonathan Demme's sensitivity to the subject matter. They believe Kimberly Elise's powerful performance and Demme's acceptance of responsibility make it a worthy addition.
"Coming to America" effectively brings Zamunda to life through excellent production design and costumes, creating an immersive experience for viewers. During a game called "Who's Invited," the hosts discuss the representation of black films directed by white people and evaluate films based on authenticity and sensitivity to the subject matter. In this discussion, they examine the film "Beloved," with opinions varying on Oprah Winfrey's casting and the overall authenticity of the film. Ultimately, they believe that director Jonathan Demme's acceptance of responsibility for portraying the harsh realities of white people in the film and Kimberly Elise's powerful performance make "Beloved" a worthy addition to the cookout.
Director's role in authentic representation: Authentic representation matters in film, and a good director empowers actors to deliver genuine performances, while a misguided one can create a false narrative that benefits the wrong people.
The right director plays a crucial role in bringing authentic and impactful performances to the screen. During a discussion about films and their directors, it was agreed that Sydney Lumet's work on "The Wiz" was a great example of a director allowing black people to do their thing authentically, resulting in a "yes" for the film. However, films like "Hidden Figures" were criticized for attempting to create a false narrative that benefits white people, leading to a "no" for the film. Overall, the group emphasized the importance of authentic representation and the impact of the director's vision in bringing stories to life.
Confusion between directors with similar names: John Hughes, Ted Demme, and John Landis have distinct filmographies, but their names can be easily confused. Hughes is known for '80s classics, Demme for TV and smaller films, and Landis for 'Coming to America' and big-budget movies.
There can be confusion between directors with similar names, as illustrated in the discussion about John Hughes and Ted Demme, and later, John and Joe Landis. Hughes is known for popular films like "The Breakfast Club," "Beautiful Girls," and "Planes, Trains and Automobiles," while Demme directed "The Adventures of Pete & Pete" and "Blow." John Landis directed "Coming to America," which was released in 1988 and features Eddie Murphy as a prince searching for love in America. The conversation also touched on the importance of representation in film, with a focus on the limited number of major characters and stories featuring Black actors. Additionally, the discussion highlighted the shift towards large-scale, high-concept movies and the decline of more intimate genres like romantic comedies.
A heartwarming coming-of-age story about a prince's quest for true love: Prince Akeem's journey in 'Coming to America' showcases iconic performances, memorable lines, and lasting impact from a diverse and talented cast, making it a timeless classic.
"Coming to America" is a heartwarming coming-of-age story about a prince named Akeem who defies tradition to find true love in America. The film's impressive cast, featuring legends like James Earl Jones, Vanessa Williams, and John Amos, brought iconic performances to the table. The movie not only showcases their talents but also left a lasting impact on the audience. From memorable lines to iconic songs, "Coming to America" has followed fans throughout their lives, making it a true legend in entertainment. The film's diverse and stacked cast, including underrated actors like Paul Bates and Eric LaSalle, showcased the depth and range of black talent during that era. Overall, "Coming to America" is a timeless classic that continues to inspire and entertain audiences with its humor, heart, and iconic moments.
A childhood favorite movie of Amanda's: Amanda, a film programmer, cherishes the nostalgic value and high-quality script of 'Coming to America' and enjoys sharing it with others through repertory screenings at Nighthawk Cinema.
Coming to America, directed by Vonnie Curtis Hall, holds a special place in Amanda's heart as a movie that has been with her since childhood. She cannot recall the exact first time she saw it, but it has become a mainstay in her life and her appreciation for it continues to grow. The film's nostalgic value is matched only by its high-quality script, which Amanda knows well enough to recite lines from. As a film programmer at Nighthawk Cinema in Brooklyn, Amanda is dedicated to sharing the joy of such films with others by programming repertory screenings of older movies, including Coming to America. The experience of seeing these films on the big screen, like she did with House Party earlier this year, is a next-level experience that she enjoys sharing with audiences.
Tiffany Haddish's Inspiration from 'Coming to America': Tiffany Haddish finds 'Coming to America's' dynamic dialogue and character work inspiring, using it as a reference for script structure and character development as a writer and actor.
The film "Coming to America," which is celebrating its 35th anniversary next year, has significantly influenced comedian and actor Tiffany Haddish as both a performer and a writer. She finds the film to be a benchmark for dynamic dialogue and character work, inspiring her to lean into her creativity and break out of the box. As a writer, she uses the film as a reference point to understand the structure of a script and the importance of dialogue serving either a comedic or story-advancing purpose. As a performer, she appreciates how the film's actors fully commit to their characters, finding dimension in even the smallest roles. Tiffany aims to apply these lessons to her own work, reverse engineering scripts and striving for authentic character development. She plans to honor the anniversary of "Coming to America" by potentially organizing a special event centered around the film.
Exploring unexpected connections and challenging values in 'Coming to America': The film's exceptional writing and character development showcase the depth and complexity of its characters, with memorable iterations of Eddie and Arsenio and a nod to interconnectedness in the industry.
That the film "Coming to America" showcases the depth and complexity of its characters, as seen when two bumbling friends discover an unexpected African connection and are faced with traditions that challenge their values. The writing in the film is exceptional, with natural and iconic dialogue that resonates and feels rhythmic. The film's specificity and natural rhythm make it a memorable and iconic piece of art. My personal favorite iterations of the characters Eddie and Arsenio are as the pastor and Randy Watson. Additionally, the presence of Frankie Faizon in the film as the landlord is a nod to the interconnectedness of the black film and television industry. Overall, "Coming to America" is a testament to the power of strong writing and character development.
Past comedies with black casts allowed for creative control and freedom: This era of comedy gave comedians opportunities for character growth and improvisation, leading to memorable performances from Eddie Murphy, Chris Tucker, and Martin Lawrence.
The comedies from the past, specifically those featuring black casts, stood out due to the creative control and freedom given to performers. This era allowed comedians to bring their unique voices and improvisational skills to the table, resulting in more authentic and entertaining performances. Unlike modern comedies where the script often serves as the limit, these films provided opportunities for character growth and improvisation, leading to memorable and iconic performances from comedians like Eddie Murphy, Chris Tucker, and Martin Lawrence. The stand-up background of these comedians also brought a raw, unfiltered energy to their on-screen roles, making the comedies of the past a special and unique form of entertainment.
Exploring African identity and representation in 'Coming to America': The film challenges stereotypes about African nations and offers a nuanced portrayal of African characters, exploring cultural differences and complexities of identity.
The film "Coming to America" showcases an advanced and affluent imaginary African nation named Wakanda, which challenges stereotypical ideas about African countries being war-torn or developing. While some may view this as appropriation, others argue that it pays respect to the continent by presenting an advanced and peaceful African nation. The film also explores cultural differences and the complexities of identity among African characters, such as the two princes, and offers a nuanced portrayal that goes beyond simplistic judgments. Additionally, small details like the use of accents and cultural references add depth to the representation of African characters. Overall, the film offers a thought-provoking commentary on African identity and representation in media.
A classic comedy's impact on black culture and comedy films: The 'Coming to America' movie, featuring Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall, is a significant representation of black love and comedy from the 90s. Despite controversial moments, it's a must-watch for authentic storytelling and legendary performances.
The movie "Coming to America" is a classic comedy with authentic performances by Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall that has had a significant impact on black culture and black comedy films. The conversation between Chris Rock and Eddie Murphy about the movie reminded one person of its significance and the unique creative freedom of the 90s. The film is a love story that approaches black love in a sweet and endearing way, and despite some controversial moments, they are essential to the story. The film's influence is evident even today, and it is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates authentic storytelling and great comedy. The director, John Landis, allowed the cast to fully express themselves, resulting in a legendary performance. The Netflix show "The Movies That Made Us" in season 3 explores the making of this classic film and is worth checking out for fans.
Recognizing the significance of black art in film: Appreciate the depth and complexity of black cinema by engaging in thoughtful analysis rather than dismissive criticism, uplifting the art form and keeping it alive.
Importance of appreciating and dissecting the depth and complexity of black cinema. My friend Karen's wedding reception brought up memories of the iconic dance scene in "Coming to America," which is a sped-up version of the "Thriller" choreography. Desmond Thorne, our knowledgeable guide, highlighted the significance of this connection and the importance of recognizing the underpinnings of black art. He encourages us to engage in thoughtful analysis, rather than dismissive criticism, to fully appreciate the "meal" that is black cinema. Desmond's work, through his podcast "Adventures in Black Cinema" and his movie theater programming, is a testament to this philosophy. By acknowledging and celebrating the richness of black art, we uplift it and keep the art form alive.
