King Ralph Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

After a royal family photo shoot ends in accidental electrocution, England’s throne falls to a Vegas lounge singer who’s more interested in burgers and babes than Buckingham Palace.

🍿 King Ralph: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Royal Catastrophe

The film opens with a catastrophic accident that wipes out the entire British Royal Family during a photo shoot. This sudden and unexpected event throws the nation into a state of chaos, as the search for a suitable heir begins. The desperate need to maintain the monarchy leads to a frantic genealogical search.

Enter Ralph Jones

The search leads to Ralph Jones (John Goodman), an American lounge singer from Las Vegas. Ralph’s connection to the royal family is a distant one, stemming from an affair generations ago. He’s an unlikely candidate for the throne, a far cry from the aristocratic figures typically associated with the British monarchy. His initial reaction is disbelief and reluctance.

Culture Clash

Ralph is thrust into the world of British royalty, a world of tradition, protocol, and stiff upper lips. He struggles to adapt to the rigid customs and expectations, leading to numerous comedic situations. He is aided by Sir Cedric Willingham (Peter O’Toole), a loyal aristocrat who attempts to guide Ralph through the intricacies of royal life. This sets up a classic ‘fish out of water’ scenario.

Intrigue and Romance

Amidst the cultural clashes, Ralph finds himself drawn to Miranda (Camille Coduri), a down-to-earth woman he meets outside of his royal duties. Their relationship faces challenges due to Ralph’s position and the disapproval of certain members of the royal court. Lord Percival Graves (John Hurt) schemes to undermine Ralph’s reign and seize power for himself, using Miranda as a pawn in his plot.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ralph Jones (John Goodman): A sleazy American lounge singer who unexpectedly becomes the King of England after a royal family tragedy.
• Sir Cedric Willingham (Peter O’Toole): A loyal aristocrat and courtier tasked with guiding and educating Ralph in the ways of the monarchy.
• Lord Percival Graves (John Hurt): A scheming and unscrupulous aristocrat who plots to undermine Ralph’s reign and seize the throne for himself.
• Miranda (Camille Coduri): A kind-hearted former stripper who becomes Ralph’s love interest and gets caught in Lord Percival’s schemes.
• Duncan Phipps (Richard Griffiths): Ralph’s dedicated assistant, aiding him throughout his journey as King.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Phipps: “Sir Cedric! Sir Cedric! Good news. We’ve finally found an heir!” – Informing Sir Cedric that a suitable, albeit unconventional, heir has been located.
• Sir Cedric Willingham: “Is he everything we’ve hoped for?” – Expressing cautious optimism upon hearing about the newly discovered heir.
• Phipps: “Well. He has his strengths and his weaknesses.” – Understating Ralph’s unsuitability with British high society due to his American manner.
• Sir Cedric Charles Willingham: “It’s not enough simply to be the king. You must look and act like one.” – Cedric explaining to King Ralph that he must also embody the role of King through decorum.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $23,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $34,002,045
• Worldwide Gross: $52,487,045

💥 King Ralph Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching ‘King Ralph’ as a kid and just loving it. John Goodman is so funny as this regular guy thrown into this crazy situation. The scene where he’s trying to learn cricket is a classic. It’s definitely a feel-good movie, and even though it’s silly, it’s hard not to smile. Also I can’t deny a movie starring both John Goodman and Peter O’Toole, they work well together. It might not be a cinematic masterpiece, but it’s pure entertainment!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of John Goodman”
  • “Viewers who enjoy fish-out-of-water comedies”
  • “People interested in light-hearted royal spoofs”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Some suggestive humor”
  • “Brief scenes in a strip club (non-explicit)”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “While ‘King Ralph’ attempts a culture clash comedy, it often relies on tired stereotypes. Goodman’s charm is undeniable, but the script fails to deliver consistent laughs, resulting in a film that feels more silly than satirical.
• RogerEbert.com: “‘King Ralph’ has moments of amusement, mostly thanks to Goodman’s natural comedic timing and O’Toole’s dry wit. However, the plot is predictable and the humor often broad, preventing the film from reaching its full potential.
• The New York Times: “Over-the-top humor, and clumsy execution are present in King Ralph. The premise is amusing, but the execution is dull. It is a film that coasts on Goodman’s persona without giving him anything truly funny to do.

Audience Reactions

John Goodman’s portrayal of King Ralph is hilarious and heartwarming.: Viewers generally agree that the movie is a fun, lighthearted comedy that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

The unlikely duo of John Goodman and Peter O’Toole provides great comedic chemistry.: Fans appreciate the film’s ability to blend American and British humor.

Overall Consensus: ‘King Ralph’ is a lighthearted comedy that offers entertaining performances and a predictable yet enjoyable storyline. Its humor is often broad, but the film’s charm and likeable characters make it a worthwhile watch for those seeking a feel-good movie.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “John Goodman initially hesitated to accept the role, worried about portraying a character too similar to his ‘Roseanne’ persona.”
• “Highclere Castle, the real-life location for Downton Abbey, was used for exterior shots of Lord Graves’ house.”
• “The film’s soundtrack features a blend of rock and roll classics and original compositions, reflecting Ralph’s musical background.”
• “The scene where the entire Royal Family is wiped out by an accident was considered controversial by some viewers.”

🖥️ How to Watch King Ralph?

King Ralph is available for rent or purchase on various platforms. Check Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu for streaming options. Physical copies (DVD/Blu-ray) are also available for purchase online and in stores. Some cable providers may offer it on demand.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed King Ralph, you might like these similar films:

• Coming to America (1988): Shares the theme of a person from a very different background thrust into an unfamiliar culture and high-society.
• The Princess Diaries (2001): A young American woman discovers she is heir to a royal throne and must learn how to be a princess.
• Dave (1993): An ordinary man is asked to impersonate the President of the United States; explores themes of political responsibility and identity.
• Brewster’s Millions (1985): An individual inherits a fortune but must spend a large amount of money in a short time to inherit even more, leading to comedic situations.

🛒 King Ralph Related Products

• King Ralph [DVD]: Own the hilarious fish-out-of-water story on DVD. Perfect for family movie nights and nostalgic viewing.
• Best of John Goodman: A must-have collection of John Goodman’s best movies. The perfect treat for any King Ralph Lover.
• Funko Pop! John Goodman as King Ralph (Concept): A custom-made Funko Pop! figure of John Goodman in his King Ralph attire, capturing his iconic look from the movie.
• Royal Family Memorabilia: A historical timeline of the Royal family of Britain. Add to your knowledge of one of the most interesting groups of people in history.

🎧 Soundtrack

King Ralph features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Good Golly Miss Molly” – performed by Little Richard
• “Duke of Earl” – performed by John Goodman

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

King Ralph (1991) | (Almost) Cult Classics

Ever wondered if ‘King Ralph’ qualifies as a cult classic? This video breaks down the movie and makes a great case for its unique appeal. I never really thought about it this way, but it’s super interesting!

Opening to King Ralph 1991 VHS

Remember watching ‘King Ralph’ on VHS? This video brings back all those nostalgic feels with the original opening, complete with retro logos and previews! It’s a total blast from the past and actually pretty cool to see how movies were presented back then.

İnteresting Movie Sceenes – Good Golly Miss Molly ( John Goodman)

John Goodman is hilarious in ‘King Ralph,’ and this short clip perfectly captures his comedic timing. Check it out for a quick laugh – it’s definitely one of the best moments in the movie!

✨ Rate