[Quick Summary: Akeem, a Zamunda African prince, comes to America with his bodyguard Semmi to look for an independent thinking bride.]
I liked that the writers did not make it easy for Akeem to win the girl.
Here, they used misunderstandings (cultural, male vs. female) to keep them apart.
(Misunderstandings also are key to a fish-out-of-water story.)
In the scene below:
- Akeem has just overheard teenage girls swooning over a Prince magazine cover.
- He assumes that all women find Prince attractive.
- He assumes Lisa would like a big public display, though he doesn't know her well.
ex. "INT. BLACK AWARENESS DINNER - NIGHT
...Akeem slides into the room on his knees in full Prince attire: open ruffled shirt, fishnet stockings, stacked heels, make-up, curl of hair dangling in his eyes.
ON CROWD
Everyone in the room gazes at him in open-mouthed amazement.
ON AKEEM
Akeem gets up and shimmies across the floor, licking his fingers, rubbing his hands all over his body.
ON LISA
Lisa looks at him like he's crazy.
ON AKEEM
Akeem drops to the floor and slithers toward her on his belly, moving in time with the sensual music, humping the floor like a reptile in heat.
ANGLES ON LISA AND AKEEM
He wriggles up to her, lying at her feet, flicking his tongue.
Lisa stares at him, astounded, repulsed.
Akeem speaks in a low, breathy Prince-like moan.
AKEEM: Let us become one, Lisa.
LISA (calmly): I don't think so.
He tries to lick her knee
LISA (evenly): Don't. Don't even think about it.
He wriggles half-heartedly.
LISA (coolly): Go away.
All the bravado drains from Akeem's face. He slithers back out of the room as inconspicuously as possible."
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: This misunderstanding works because it came from character.
Akeem has had little contact with the middle class, and his assumptions show it.
Coming to America (1988)(shooting script w/revisions, 10/21/87)
by David Sheffield & Barry W. Blaustein
Story by Eddie Murphy
No comments:
Post a Comment