The Distinguished Gentleman

If you are after a comedy that actually makes you laugh out loud, The Distinguished Gentleman is available in the US on Philo and Starz Amazon Channel right now. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. 335 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Eddie Murphy is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Philo.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, The Distinguished Gentleman is worth clearing space for. The Distinguished Gentleman does what great comedies rarely manage — it is actually funny, consistently, across the whole run. A Florida con man uses the recent death of the long time Congressman from his district, who he just happens to share a last name with, to get elected to his version of paradise, the U.S. Congress, where the money flows from lobbyists. Between them, Eddie Murphy and Lane Smith carry the comedy without ever forcing it. The Distinguished Gentleman came out in 1992. The Distinguished Gentleman earns its laughs from character rather than situation, which is why it does not wear thin the way pure farce tends to. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, The Distinguished Gentleman respects your intelligence. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Eddie Murphy anchors an ensemble with real chemistry. Genuinely funny, consistently, across the whole run.

The Distinguished Gentleman was released in 1992, directed by Jonathan Lynn. The full 112-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.