King Ralph (1991)
September 19, 2018 3:44 PM - Subscribe

As the only relative to take over the Royal throne, a down on his luck American slob must learn the ways of the English.


[Trailer] [IMDB] [Wikipedia] [Rotten Tomatoes] [TV Tropes] [AFI] 
some pro
Crowned with John Goodman's lovable loutishness and a regally droll performance by Peter O'Toole, King Ralph doesn't carry much weight in the story department, though the wispy premise is handled with a blend of sprightly comedy and sappy romance. Variety

Comedy — that is to say, show-stopping, rib-tickling comedy — is based on surprise, and there isn’t a single gag here that pushes the envelope. Goodman, though, is such an ingratiating performer that you coast through the movie right along with him. Entertainment Weekly 
some con
This lame hybrid of travelogue and (attempted) satire introduces the unwary American to English cuisine, cricket and newspapers, and any notions that the film is irreverent are trashed by a concluding homage to the monarchy. Time Out

It's an empty, puffed-up blob of a comedy, so devoid of humor that when star John Goodman does his show-stopper—a rousing, belly-flop-on-the-piano rendition of Little Richard's "Good Golly, Miss Molly"—it's a blessed but only temporary relief. The LA Times 
miscellany
posted by Ten Cold Hot Dogs (5 comments total)
 
Those reviews sound pretty dreary. I mean, the movie was certainly quite lightweight, but it still has the premise, irresistible especially to closet American monarchists: that skeleton in your closet could make you King (or Queen) of fucking England, with all the posh digs and toys and your face on the money. And how cool would that be?

It's also pretty funny that 28th in the line of succession is someone named Xan. King Xan! Make the royal starship ready!
posted by Halloween Jack at 9:30 PM on September 19, 2018 [2 favorites]


I can't remember the rest of the film clearly but the opening scene with the mass electrocution was comedy GOLD to me as a kid and still remains - I am giggling just thinking about it.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 5:34 AM on September 20, 2018 [4 favorites]


I apologise to Gavin Haynes but he is vastly and completely wrong.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 5:41 AM on September 20, 2018 [1 favorite]


This film is better than it should be, but no where near as good as one should want it to be. I've always had a soft spot in my heart for this film, I think in part due to John Goodman's efforts. I've always appreciated the cricket scene and just the fish out of water aspect on the whole. It's a film that you wouldn't necessarily seek out, but if it's on, you stay with it, through to the end because you start to care about the characters.

As is...the proper heir to the throne currently lives in Australia. ::sniffs::
posted by Atreides at 7:16 AM on September 20, 2018 [1 favorite]


Those reviews sound pretty dreary. I mean, the movie was certainly quite lightweight, but it still has the premise, irresistible especially to closet American monarchists: that skeleton in your closet could make you King (or Queen) of fucking England, with all the posh digs and toys and your face on the money. And how cool would that be?

I might have been the victim of my own King Ralph-levels of laziness, but I couldn't for the life of me find any wholly positive reviews for this film, which was a surprise: anything that came close was along the lines of "this film sucks/is hopelessly generic/a putrid flop, BUT isn't John Goodman great?"

I mean, this isn't Great Art or anything, but it's not like 1991 was overflowing with genius comedy gold either.

Extra favourites to anyone who can find a gushy 1000% love review for El Ralphio Royale.
posted by Ten Cold Hot Dogs at 7:56 AM on September 20, 2018 [2 favorites]


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