Coming to America

Prince Akeem Joffer, the son of the wealthy and powerful King Jaffe Joffer of the African kingdom of Zamunda, is dissatisfied with the idea of an arranged marriage. Born and raised in a life of luxury, Akeem craves adventure and true love. Consequently, he sets out on a mission to find a suitable bride in the United States, despite his parents' initial reservations. Akeem's trusted advisor, Semmi, accompanies him on this journey, eager to escape the backbreaking labor expected of him in Zamunda's palace. Following a series of unsatisfying attempts to meet women in a bars and at social events in Queens, New York, Akeem and Semmi are directed by Akeem's mom to seek the services of the professional matchmaker, Ray Shawn. With Ray Shawn's guidance, Akeem sets his sights on Mary-Jean, a beautiful but strong-willed woman. However, during a fateful meeting, Akeem finds himself walking out the door upon encountering the woman in question. Semmi then intervenes, prodding Akeem to reconsider his decision, and in accordance with Akeem's true intentions, he assumes a humble disguise as a poor, homeless man going by the name of Leroy Jones. Convinced that New York's abundance and vibrant culture have allowed Akeem Leroy an easier quality of survival, he eventually secures employment at the fast-food restaurant, McDowell's, through the advice an overzealous recruiter. The people at McDowell's initially greet Leroy Jones and his crude appearance with skepticism; however, due to his unyielding enthusiasm and the knowledge he possesses about Africa's royalty, as well as his proven ability to pick out items during their morning deliveries to a meat supplier from behind in his McDowell's team, his enigmatic presence soon wins them over. Clarence and Prell, two quirky co-workers of McDowell's, become close friends to the homeless man Leroy Jones, and offer to rent him a condo within New York City's vicinity once their check arrives. With Clarence and Prell leading the charge and Semmi by his side as his reluctant but compassionate confidant, the duo continues in their continued support for Leroy's pursuit of an American girl he at first believes would be perfect: Lisa McDowell's. As time passes, Akeem faces numerous setbacks, struggles, and even earns a few victories along the way. The culture shock is tremendous: he's forced to live with roommates; he has to clean up after himself; and worst of all, pretend to be something he's not. While enduring everyday problems, he manages to balance both sides of his life by maintaining relationships built upon both his public disguise and his royal status. Upon attending the annual McDowell's Employee Employee Appreciation Gala, Akeem finally finds his dream girl, Lisa, and seizes the opportunity to woo her. As fate goes on to play tricks on his romantic aspirations, they plan a date at a particularly quaint beauty salon while dodging previous romantic contenders. In preparation for his confession of royal heritage amidst the city of New York, he attempts to open up the first black restaurant of its kind, catering the culinary tastes and dining fancies to all, while working through the growing familiarity of an African prince living among people less affluent than himself. Beneath the roof of his job, at McDowell's, on dates, Akeem, using his dignity to earn over the regard of his co-worker, as well as McDowell's employees as a whole reveals his compassion, friendly and eager-minded nature resonates profoundly, paving a moral balance, a way in which even his background was to begin gradually bridging. Akeem Joffer goes through all the necessary steps to learn to believe fully within himself: on his many humorous stints at work, during late nights amid strangers to outsiders, struggling under pressure to hold his first restaurant as well as proving himself both to co-workers while earning all those other kinds of unkind titles thrown - his resolve culminates in what could symbolize a prime act – his, 'fateful royal return', where all his dislocations can have some solace; all in the name of a kingdom home - he falls in love and feels an overpowering, true American identity of a person in the human terms that he really can be, but back in his very first step where all the ways the prince and his servant ventured out into New York, it means he'll have to put it all on the line: about what life, love, home, and identity.