My Cousin Vinny ⚖️
Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend.
Today’s movie is the classic comedy My Cousin Vinny (1992)—streaming on Hulu—which was one of the movies I watched obsessively growing up. The film would somewhat controversially win Marissa Tomei the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress—a rare acting win for a comedy. The win was such a surprise that some people speculated that Jack Palance, who was announcing the category, drunkenly read the wrong name. However, in my opinion, Tomei earned that Oscar.
Here’s what it’s about: After Billy (Ralph Macchio) and his friend Stan (Mitchell Whitfield) are wrongly accused of murder while driving through rural Alabama, he calls on his cousin Vinny (Joe Pesci), a Brooklyn mechanic who just passed the bar exam after his sixth try, for help. Let’s just say Alabama and Brooklyn don’t mix. [Trailer // 120 mins]
Why you should watch it: Screenwriter Dale Launer had the difficult task of balancing a compelling courtroom comedy with the New Yorker in the deep south premise that underlines the story. He succeeds because he puts the comedy in the characters, instead of the story.
Lawyers have praised the movie for its accuracy in legal strategy and courtroom procedure with Max Kennerly saying, “the movie is close to reality even in its details. Part of why the film has such staying power among lawyers is because, unlike, say, A Few Good Men, everything that happens in the movie could happen—and often does happen—at trial.” The scenario and story aren’t ridiculous, but Vinny Gambino and Mona Lisa Vito (Tomei) certainly are. They’re already larger than life. But put them in rural Alabama and they’re giants (in leather jackets). [Full review]
📺 Buy or rent: Prime Video | Apple TV | YouTube
Pair it with 🍷
Knives Out: The wealthy Thrombey family is shaken when their patriarch Harlan (Christopher Plummer), a famed crime novelist, is found dead the day after his 85th birthday. Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), hired by a mysterious benefactor, is tasked with solving how Harlan died. Was it a member of the family, the staff, or something more convoluted. [Where to watch]
Take a chance on something (or someone) this week. As long as you’re wearing a damn mask.
See you Thursday —
Karl (@karl_delo)