A Good Man In Africa (1994)

A British diplomat (Colin Friels) in a West African country recently made independent from British rule is pressured by his superior (John Lithgow) to influence the newly elected president (Lou Gossett Jr.) to give access to oil rights to Great Britain. Based on the novel by William Boyd (who adapted his book for the screen) and directed by Bruce Beresford (DRIVING MISS DAISY). I've not read Boyd's book which was highly acclaimed but the film version is seriously lacking. The book was a series of amusing incidents without a solid narrative. In his attempt to piece together a movie, director Beresford fumbles. We can start with Friels in the lead. His character is (until the very end) a real self involved jerk. You really need a charismatic actor in a role like that if you want the audience to stick with the movie and Friels just isn't interesting enough. Even though it's a supporting role, Sean Connery as the "good man" of the title obliterates Friels in their scenes together. A comedy that didn't translate well from page to screen. With Diana Rigg, Joanne Whalley, Sarah Jane Fenton and Maynard Eziashi.