The Distinguished Gentleman

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The Distinguished Gentleman

R

1992

1h 53m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

12%

Tomatometer

17 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.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Jan 1, 2000

2/4

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.

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Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

May 1, 2026

3/10

A firm and unavoidable recipe for disaster.

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Malcolm L. Johnson

Hartford Courant

Jun 4, 2018

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.

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Jun 18, 2005

2/5

Philip Martin

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Feb 26, 2005

2/5

Robin Clifford

Reeling Reviews

Nov 16, 2004

2/5

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Alex R

@RT87998984 Jul 22, 2025

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.

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Faith B

@RT82693848 Jul 11, 2025

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

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thiago s

@Thiagostone Jun 6, 2025

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.

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Alok D

@RT76775116 Mar 4, 2025

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

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Brad C

@RT41611784 Nov 11, 2024

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.

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luna s

@RT51910355 Jan 12, 2023

a movie that predates george santos by 30 years

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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

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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

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