The Distinguished Gentleman

Play trailer

The Distinguished Gentleman

R

1992

1h 53m

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

13%

Tomatometer

16 Reviews

37%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

In the conniving world of politics, even a professional shyster like Thomas Jefferson Johnson (Eddie Murphy) can find himself outmatched. After using name recognition to get elected, Johnson enjoys many of the same financial perks as other politicians. However, while investigating the connection between electric companies and cancer in young children, he unexpectedly develops a conscience. Unfortunately, fellow Congressman Dick Dodge (Lane Smith) isn't about to let him rock the boat.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

This is screwball material, and Murphy, with his quick delivery, is ideal for a laughaminute roller coaster, but director Jonathan Lynn seems to stretch out the scenes instead of hurrying them along.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Malcolm Johnson

Hartford Courant

This lightweight political sitcom takes awkward narrative jumps and sags in the middle...despite some taut byplay between Lane Smith and Joe Don Baker, the outcome is too obvious to be gratifying.

Jun 4, 2018

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jun 18, 2005

Full Review

Philip Martin

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Rated: 2/5

Feb 26, 2005

Full Review

Robin Clifford

Reeling Reviews

Rated: 2/5

Nov 16, 2004

Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality & Practice

Rated: 2/5

Mar 27, 2004

Full Review

Read all reviews

Alex R

Very underrated movie. The bad reviews are not making it justice. This satirical depiction of congress politics is entertaining and funny. It may have some pacing issues but it should be talked about now more than ever.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/22/25

Full Review

Faith B

It’s absolutely terrible and enjoyable at the same time. Would tolerate a reboot.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/23/25

Full Review

thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/06/25

Full Review

Alok D

This movie is criminally underrated. It's fantastic -- one of Murphy's best.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/04/25

Full Review

Brad C

For the life of me I can't understand the low ratings for this movie. It's a masterclass in political satire, possibly the most accurate satire about the inner workings and corruption that exists in Washington. Not to mention it's just plain entertaining. If every voter watched this movie first, maybe we could make a bit of progress toward actually sanitizing DC.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/11/24

Full Review

Paul C

Clever plot though a bit unrealistic deals with corruption in Congress. Many laughs. Eddie Murphy is entertaining throughout the film. James Garner sets the stage for the main plot in a rather brief appearance. Lane Smith turns in a solid performance. In all, I think that this is seriously underrated by the critics.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/11/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Jonathan Lynn

Director

Eddie Murphy

Thomas Jefferson Johnson

Lane Smith

Dick Dodge

Sheryl Lee Ralph

Miss Loretta

Joe Don Baker

Olaf Andersen

Victoria Rowell

Celia Kirby

White Men Can't Jump

75%

69%

White Men Can't Jump

Watchlist

Harlem Nights

27%

80%

Harlem Nights

Watchlist

In the Soup

83%

76%

In the Soup

Watchlist

The Player

97%

84%

The Player

Watchlist

Other People's Money

31%

47%

Other People's Money

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

In the conniving world of politics, even a professional shyster like Thomas Jefferson Johnson (Eddie Murphy) can find himself outmatched. After using name recognition to get elected, Johnson enjoys many of the same financial perks as other politicians. However, while investigating the connection between electric companies and cancer in young children, he unexpectedly develops a conscience. Unfortunately, fellow Congressman Dick Dodge (Lane Smith) isn't about to let him rock the boat.

Director: Jonathan Lynn
Producer: Leonard Goldberg, Michael Peyser
Screenwriter: Marty Kaplan
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Jan 13, 2004
Box Office (Gross USA): $46.5M
Runtime: 1h 53m
Sound Mix: Surround

Most Popular at Home Now