10 Average Questions about The Distinguished Gentleman

Answer: Thomas Johnson

Although he gets elected to Congress under the name of Jeff Johnson, his grandmother clearly states, in the beginning of the film, that his name is Thomas Jefferson Johnson. Thomas shortens his middle name and runs as Jeff Johnson, gambling on getting elected through name recognition, Jeff Johnson being the Congressman for Florida who passed away just before the election.

Answer: Mastercard

While running a credit card theft scam, Thomas happens to answer the phone instead of his cousin Loretta, the usual "Inga" impersonator. His ad-hoc imitation of the innocent, Swedish call-girl is superb..."Tell me, Paul, do you have MasterCard?"

Answer: Con Artist

Thomas maintains, in the beginning of the film, that he is not a thief, he is a con, and he certainly makes an art-form of it. The opening scene of the movie has Thomas and his gang scamming blackmail money from a Floridian politician at one of his private parties. Thomas' skill and his desire for the big con lead him to connive his way into Congress.

Answer: Florida

Although most of the film concerns Washington D.C., the entire beginning of the film is set in Miami, where Thomas runs his everyday scams. He gets his chance at a big time con when the incumbent Congressman for Florida has a heart attack, while working with his secretary.

Answer: Hattie Rifkin

Hattie Rifkin is the pull-no-punches leader of the Silverfoxes, a small-time political party comprised mostly of Miami retirees. With her support, Thomas runs for Congress on their ticket but, once he starts living the good life of an elected official, he forgets about those who helped get him there, including Hattie.

Answer: Industry

Dick Dodge is a Senator and leader of the Power and Industry Committee, an extremely powerful lobby group to which only very experienced politicians gain entry. Thomas manages to make a good early impression on Dick. As he is also from Florida, Dick takes Thomas under his wing and has him elected to Power and Industry within his first fortnight in office, an unprecedented appointment.

Answer: Uncle

Thomas only finds this out after attending Church with Celia, whom he starts to develop feelings for, after agreeing to help her lobby for the removal of 'cancer-causing' powerlines. Unfortunately, Eli does not approve of Thomas, as a man or as a Congressman, believing him to be in politics solely for the money and privileges. Initially, Eli's assumptions are quite accurate.

Answer: Samaritan

When Loretta, Thomas' cousin, and secretary in Congress, arrives at the Lobster restaurant, Eli takes a shine to her and accepts her offer to be designated driver. While driving Eli and Thomas home, a careless taxi driver shunts the car while Loretta is at the wheel, causing them to crash. Loretta and Eli are hospitalised.

Answer: He films the power players' secret meeting with a hidden camera.

Realising that his smarmy and selfish ways in Congress are hurting the people he cares for, Thomas begins to turn against Dick Dodge. Thomas carries out a plan to discredit the powerbrokers and expose certain secrets Dodge has confided in him. When Dodge realises that Thomas has filmed their secret meeting for the purposes of blackmail, Dodge demands to see exactly what kind of incriminating evidence is on the tape.

However, upon viewing, it appears the tape is blank and Dodge thinks he is in the clear.

But lo, Thomas actually switches the real tape with the blank one before Dodge sees it, and gives the real tape to his friend to show in the middle of a crowded committee hearing.

Answer: Run for President

Celia says that Thomas is going to have to find a new profession because Congress is going to remove him from office. The last line of the film is his rebuttal, "Yeah but I'm gonna run for President". We're not sure whether this statement is made in jest or whether Thomas thinks he can really pull it off. Hope you enjoyed the quiz.