MovieChat Forums > Coming to America (1988) Discussion > Some things about the end puzzled me.

Some things about the end puzzled me.

posted 8 years ago by Shanak41
17 replies | jump to latest

So, after Lisa gives Akeem the brush off, and they're going back to their own country, his mother tells his father that he, being the king, has the power to change their marriage tradition. That settles that problem, but it still doesn't explain what made Lisa change her mind. There's no real explanation of what made her decide to sacrifice everything and marry Akeem after all. And, that detail aside, how did she even get there? The only clue is that while the king and queen are discussing the matter in the car, there's a woman listening in on them in the front seat, but I'm not sure it was her. The shot went too fast. I don't think so, though. The finale seemed to have a few loose ends to me.

And one smaller detail. Who's that woman on Semmi's arm during the wedding? My first guess would be Lisa's sister, and yet somehow it didn't really look like her to me. Plus, that brief (and arbitrary) scene with her taking in Darryl when he came in out of the rain, seemed to half suggest that they were going to start a relationship. It left me just plain confused. Would anyone care to enlighten me?

[–] snelling 8 years ago

This movie is full of bad scenes like these. It's just a dumb comedy that has poor structure. Why would Eddie have a long ponytail growing since birth? Why cut it off? Why pay a barber to do it? Why would they not be beaten up and robbed in the worst part of town? You get the idea. 5/10

"'Extremely High Voltage.' Well, I don't need safety gloves, because I'm Homer Sim--" - Frank Grimes

[–] Shanak41 8 years ago

Interesting criticisms, but those aren't plot holes like the ones I brought up.

[–] snelling 8 years ago

You did not mention plot holes. You mentioned big leaps in the story being filled in by the viewer. The movie itself is rat-infested.

"'Extremely High Voltage.' Well, I don't need safety gloves, because I'm Homer Sim--" - Frank Grimes

[–] Shanak41 8 years ago

Okay, whatever. Anyone else care to say something?

[–] BobknobSA 8 years ago

They were robbed. All of their things of value were immediately stolen at the beginning. They were so naive that they didn't need to be beaten up. Why wouldn't Eddie have a ponytail? It seemed like it was some sort of coming of age tradition. The barber cutting it off was a joke(not necessarily a good one). He wanted to have an "American haircut in America" and the barber was lazy.

[–] Shanak41 8 years ago

I agree. Surprises like that work in some movies, but this isn't one of them. Even if they didn't want to show it beforehand, there should have been some sort of explanation. Like Akeem could have asked "what made you change your mind and how did you find this place?" And then there could have been a flashback. Then it would have made more sense.

[–] Pmdmnym 8 years ago

Yes, the lady in the front seat was the Queen's Lady in Waiting...and she was also the same women that Semmi was with at the wedding. As for Lisa changing her mind, well in movie land, they have the liberty of making time fast or slow. I just figured some time went by and they all talked and she really was in love with Akeem. As for Lisa's sister, I believe her and Darryl WERE starting some kind of relationship. Good movie.

Wait! Wait! Where are you going? I was gonna make Espresso!

[–] rpe78 8 years ago

Perhaps the Queen or King went back and spoke with her, or she simply took some time and thought about the situation and realized Akeem was a great guy. It's not hard to think about what could have happened.

Also, Snelling is a moron.

[–] HowYaLikeDemApplesWill 8 years ago

What puzzled me, is somebody looking for a plot of a John Landis movie.

Whose idea was it for the word "Lisp" to have an "S" in it?

[–] maureciasmith 8 years ago

It's not really clear as to why Lisa changed her mind, but I mean the viewer can put that picture together themselves. She realized she was being unreasonable and she really did love him for who he was. She saw how beautiful a person he was regardless of being rich like her ex-Darryl, who was an overall douche.

The woman in the car is basically like the advisor/ lady-in-waiting to the queen along with the big guy who was singing at Akeem's birthday celebration. He is the advisor to the king. Arsenio Hall, Semmi, is the advisor and friend to Akeem.

The woman on Semmi's arm during the wedding is the same woman who is the queen's Lady-in-Waiting, or consort, whatever. I was thinking that marriage within the royal court had their traditions, too and they broke them as well.

I do agree that with the ending it does seem a bit rushed as if there was a deadline that was coming up an some scenes were cut to be wrapped up quickly, maybe, but overall the premise of the movie is great and there is enough information for the viewer to imagine and fill in the gaps themselves for the ending.

[–] 60-second-assassin 8 years ago

The ending is pretty obvious. Lisa wanted to be with Akeem (notice how quickly she gets over being furious after he explains himself on the train) but rejected him because of the fact that his father clearly didn't approve. Why did she change her mind? The scene in the car between the king/queen is meant to imply that he had a change of heart towards the situation...that he would accept Akeem marrying her despite the traditions, despite her being a regular person, etc. So what happened? He probably met with her and cleared the air, gave his blessing, etc. How did she get to Zamunda? She was flown in by the royal family obviously. It is to be assumed that there is a time gap; its not like they flew back to Zamunda and then the wedding was the next day...

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] BobknobSA 8 years ago

The queen told the king to apologize to Lisa and in a cut scene(or off camera scene) he evidently did and Lisa must have changed her mind. People can change their mind after a period of time. The reveal that he was a Prince was temporarily overwhelming. I guess it was removed because they wanted a surprise at the wedding like the movie would ever have a "bad" ending.

The woman with Semmi was another servant and/or member of the government. She was with the King and Queen when they came to America. She does not look anything like her sister, but she doesn't really look African either.