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Coming 2 America

Coming 2 America

Representation Score

5.1/10

Fair

2021

PG-13

Director

Craig Brewer

Runtime

108 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New 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.

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Category Breakdown

Does Coming 2 America have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

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.

How does Coming 2 America portray gender?

Fair

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.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Coming 2 America?

Excellent

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.

How does Coming 2 America represent religion and culture?

Good

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.

Does Coming 2 America include disability representation?

Minimal

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

  • Celebrates Black prosperity and sovereignty within a thriving African setting.
  • Challenges Western-centric clichés by presenting a wealthy, autonomous monarchy.
  • Features intelligent and influential female characters.

Limited or Absent

  • Lacks LGBTQ+ representation or narratives that question traditional romantic structures.
  • Does not prominently feature characters with disabilities.

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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