The Distinguished Gentleman (1992)

13% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
38% of users liked it
(12,467 ratings)

A smooth-talking confidence trickster makes his way into congress (where the cynical would suggest he'd have plenty of company) in this comedy. Thomas Jefferson Johnson (Eddie Murphy) is a con man from Florida who gets the bright idea that a scam artist could make a tidy sum if he was able to get… More A smooth-talking confidence trickster makes his way into congress (where the cynical would suggest he'd have plenty of company) in this comedy. Thomas Jefferson Johnson (Eddie Murphy) is a con man from Florida who gets the bright idea that a scam artist could make a tidy sum if he was able to get inside the political arena. When a Florida congressman named Jeff Johnson dies and a special election is held to replace him, Thomas puts his name on the ballot as "Jeff Johnson," and enough confused voters check the ballot for him that he wins the race and is on his way to Washington D.C. Johnson soon finds a mentor in Dick Dodge (Lane Smith), chairman of the Power and Industry Committee, who shows Johnson the ropes on raking in PAC money while the late Mr. Johnson's aide, Reinhardt (Grant Shaud), gives him the inside scoop on how things work in Washington. Johnson's plans are going just as he hoped until he meets Celia Kirby (Victoria Rowell), a volunteer lobbyist and political activist whose uncle is a noted religious leader, The Rev. Elijah Hawkins (Charles S. Dutton). Johnson quickly becomes smitten with Celia, but it's obvious that she's not buying his act, and if he wants to win her heart, he'll have to stop fooling people into thinking he's honest and actually be honest. Joe Don Baker and Sheryl Lee Ralph also co-star. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 2 min.
Directed By: Jonathan Lynn
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Dec 4, 1992 Wide
On DVD: Nov 16, 1999

Critic Reviews

Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
An OK Murphy vehicle, but still the same old hip black guy smarter than the white men routine.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Tepid Eddie Murphy political farce.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

This film has its funny moments but overall it?s forgettable.
Deb S

Eddie Murphy plays Thomas Jefferson Johnson, a hustler and con artist, who finds out that running for Congress will earn him more money than he does now. He uses this post to hopefully earn a decent living and sham his way to more. Instead, he discovers that some government officials… More
Eddie Murphy plays Thomas Jefferson Johnson, a hustler and con artist, who finds out that running for Congress will earn him more money than he does now. He uses this post to hopefully earn a decent living and sham his way to more. Instead, he discovers that some government officials are even more corrupt than he is and he must use his "power" to make things right for the little people.Good natured fun from the early 90's
Jonny C

Not bad. A lot funnier than I was expecting. It reminds you just how funny Eddie Murphy can be and how far he's fallen.
Leo L

Ingenious!

Cast

            Eddie Murphy as Thomas Jefferson Johnson

            Lane Smith as Dick Dodge

            Sheryl Lee Ralph as Miss Loretta

            Joe Don Baker as Olaf Anderson

            Victoria Rowell as Celia Kirby

            Grant Shaud as Arthur Reinhardt

            Kevin McCarthy as Terry Corrigan

            Charles S. Dutton as Elijah Hawkins

            Victor Rivers as Armando

            Chi as Homer

            Sonny Jim Gaines as Van Dyke

            Noble Willingham as Zeke Bridges

            Gary Frank as Iowa

            Richard Anders as Poultry Lobbyist

            Dion Anderson as Distilled Spirits Lobbyist

            Prudence Barry as Teacher

            Cliff Bemis as Gun Lobbyist

            Daniel Benzali as "Skeeter" Warburton

            Tommy Boggs as Himself

            Sarah Carson as Kimberly

            Patricia Ciaffa as DC Correspondent

            Tom Dahlgren as Chief of Police

            John Doolittle as Ira Schecter

            Tom Finnegan as Ethics Committee Chair

            Susan Forristal as Ellen Juba

            Frances Foster as Grandma

            James Garner as Jeff Johnson

            Brian Gelatto as Crabhouse Waiter

            Doris Grau as Hattie Rifkin

            Cynthia Harris as Vera Johnson

            Cordis Heard as Voting Wife

            Rosanna Huffman as Mrs. Bridges

            Marty Kaplan as Ned Grable

            Brad Koepenick as Rafe Simon

            Stu Levin as Tobacco Lobbyist

            Mel Owens as Bo Chandler

            David A. Penhale as Voting Husband

            Gary Price as Taxi Driver

            Roger E. Reid as Florida Reporter

            Angela Stribling as DC Anchor

            Nina Totenberg as Election Anchor

            Dianne Turley Travis as Mrs. Dodge

            J.D. Williams as Himself

            Autumn Winters as Mickey John

            Daniel Petrie as Asbestos Lobbyist

            Mary Goldberg
            
            Julianna McCarthy as Blue Haired Lady
See full cast