Newly released sequel Coming 2 America has people talking. They’re comparing the film to the original, Coming To America, while also discussing what they liked and didn’t like about the long-awaited follow-up. A popular topic is why actress Alison Dean didn’t reprise her role as Patrice McDowell, the sister of Queen Lisa Joffer (Shari Headley).
That makes us ask THIS GOOD QUESTION:
Did ‘Coming 2 America’ need Patrice McDowell?
Yes, it did.
It was expected that most of the cast would return to play the characters that made the first film a revered classic. The sequel also introduced several new characters.
Akeem’s (Eddie Murphy) bastard son Lavelle (Jermaine Fowler) and his mom Mary (Leslie Jones) brought their Queens, NY baggage into the royal African nation of Zamunda.
To create some plot tension, adhering to tradition provoked Akeem to side with rival General Izzi (Wesley Snipes) who wanted his daughter to be Lavelle’s future queen. Their marriage would keep peace in the land.
Akeem’s oldest daughter Meeka didn’t agree with her father’s decisions. She wanted to be Akeem’s heir to the throne instead of Lavelle.
Coming 2 America had issues to resolve but it lacked a real antagonist to create conflict. That’s where I think Patrice would have made a nice addition.
The flirtatious Patrice was jealous, a bit superficial, and conniving, and she wasn’t happy to learn the real prince of Zamunda was in love with her sister instead of her. Imagine the hilarious chaos she could have caused in the sequel. |THIS.
[By Mr. Joe Walker]
