Tuesday, July 16, 2013

How did the material used by the royal family in the film, Coming to America, separate them from the ordinary people?

Aside from the obvious wealth separating the royal family from ordinary people in Coming to America, there are several other things used in the movie that creates a divide. 

The rose bearers follow Eddie Murphy's character wherever he goes. As the royal family sees it, a son of a king should not have to walk on anything less than rose petals anywhere he goes. It puts the prince on a pedestal. He is seen as better than an ordinary person. 

In his arranged marriage, his "future wife" does whatever Murphy says on command. The woman had been trained for years to please the prince. It is all about his wants and desires, and her wants and desires are irrelevant. 

Murphy has servants in the movie, but the actions they perform treat him well above that of a normal person. While most people shower or bathe by themselves, Murphy is bathed by a staff of women. He is enthralled by everyday things people have to do when he goes to America. He only knew a life where everything was done for him. 

Of course, Murphy is also on the national currency. His family believes his face should be seen all over the country. 

Ultimately, the film humorously exaggerates the Royal family's wealth by depicting them as deserving of the best of everything and enjoying some of the stereotypical luxuries one would expect for a Royal family. This becomes a problem for the family when Eddie Murphy's character falls in love with a "commoner."

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