Comedy
United States of America
The Distinguished Gentleman is a 1992 comedy film directed by Jonathan Lynn and starring Eddie Murphy. It tells the story of Thomas Jefferson Johnson (played by Murphy), a small-time con man in Florida who sees an opportunity to better his life by running for Congress following the death of the long-time incumbent with the same name.
Despite having no political experience or real platform beyond his name recognition, Johnson manages to win the election with the help of his team of shady advisors. Once in Washington, however, he quickly realizes the extent of corruption and unethical behavior that takes place on Capitol Hill, as he is offered bribes and favors from lobbyists.
Rather than succumb to the temptation of the easy money, Johnson decides to use his con artist skills to turn the table on his greedy colleagues. He starts by creating a fake charitable organization and soliciting donations from the other congressmen, in exchange for promised favors and access.
As his scheme grows in scope and complexity, Johnson becomes embroiled in a web of lies and double-crosses, putting his political career and personal life at risk. However, he also gains a newfound sense of purpose and discovers a passion for making a real difference in the world.
The Distinguished Gentleman was a modest box office success and received mixed reviews from critics. It was praised for its satire of American politics and Murphy's comedic performance, but also criticized for its simplistic plot and predictable humor.
