The Distinguished Gentleman

Released: 1992
Comedy
Director: Jonathan Lynn
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Lane Smith, Sheryl Lee Ralph
Running Time: 112 minutes
Rated: R

The breakdown: A con man decides to go for the biggest con of all and become a US senator.

I watched this movie by accident, and even though it got some really poor reviews, I thought it was funny enough to be good.

After a well known and well loved congressman dies suddenly during his campaign for re-election, Eddie Murphy realizes an opportunity.  They both have the same name and he wants to ride the dead senator's popularity and hope the voting public doesn't realize the switch.
It works and he's elected.  He moves from Florida to D.C. and starts learning what happens in congress and how wrong and crooked everyone really is.  Even though he originally wanted to be as crooked as the rest he sees some opportunities to help people who really need it and he has a change of heart from a con man to someone who's trying to make a difference.

It was funny and cute enough to probably be counted as Murphy's last good movie.

2 and 1/2 out of 5 for being entertaining and fun.