1988 Coming to America

Coming to America marks Eddie Murphy's peak. He had been steadily rising from the beginning of the decade with Trading Places and Beverly Hills Cop, and here he was given free reign to do a film that he wanted to do.

He put all the ingredients together. John Landis directed, Murphy wrote and starred, in many roles, and his good friend Arsenio Hall was his onscreen assistant. In the movie Murphy plays an African prince who comes to New York to find his love. It is another comedy similar in story to Crocodile Dundee, but entirely different in tone. The fish-out-of-water scenario lends itself beautifully to some wonderful comic moments.

Murphy is clearly at the top of his game in this film, and is enjoying himself. It rubs off on the supporting cast and indeed into the audiences. Although the star and director seemed to come to blows during this movie, Murphy stating that Landis treated him like the same kid he was when doing Trading Places. Still, their relationship was solid, as the two worked together again six years later. the difference then I assume was that Murphy's star was not so bright.

It is not the biggest hit of Murphy's career, that was Beverly Hills Cop, but it was a huge success for him personally as he was the driver behind this project. The movie made $288m at the box office and a sequel, often mooted, is in the works.

Eddie Murphy's star status never really hit these heights again. He remains a wonderful performer and very good actor, in the 80's, he was on top of the world. As most Hollywood stars know, you don't stay there long and the only way is down. We wait for the sequel with interest.