
Coming to America
1988

Representation Score
Fair
2021
PG-13Director
Craig Brewer
Runtime
108 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetNew Showbiz Analysis
Coming 2 America stands out as a celebration of Black excellence and sovereign identity. By depicting Zamunda as a prosperous and stable nation, the film counters common cinematic clichés that often portray Africa through a lens of instability or scarcity. The film's strength lies in its ability to present a non-Western power structure as a sophisticated protagonist. The interaction between the Queens-native Lavelle and the Zamundan royalty offers a nuanced look at the African diaspora. However, the film remains tied to traditional social structures, relying on conventional romantic pairings and biological succession which limits its impact regarding LGBTQ+ representation and broader cultural subversion.
Category Breakdown
The film adheres to traditional romantic structures centered around royal lineage and marriage. There are no significant representations of non-straight identities or narratives that question these conventional frameworks.
Women hold important roles in both institutional power and social influence. Despite the plot involving a search for a bride, female characters exhibit intelligence and take active roles that challenge submissive stereotypes.
The film focuses on a prosperous, sovereign nation populated by individuals of African descent. It avoids clichés of scarcity and instead uses connections to the diaspora to explore varied expressions of Black identity.
The narrative emphasizes a non-Western perspective by highlighting the customs of a fictional African monarchy. This approach challenges Western cultural dominance by showcasing a self-sufficient, independent culture.
The film does not prominently feature characters with visible or invisible disabilities that drive the narrative or serve as central character arcs.
Present on Screen
Limited or Absent
Official Synopsis
Prince Akeem Joffer is set to become King of Zamunda when he discovers he has a son he never knew about in America – a street savvy Queens native named Lavelle. Honoring his royal father's dying wish to groom this son as the crown prince, Akeem and Semmi set off to America once again.

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