Thanks for checking out our Forgotten Fridays feature. This is a feature to review some older films that maybe you have forgotten about or maybe never got around to seeing that we just want to share. They may not be old, maybe not forgotten, but they are not new. Just fun to share.
Today’s review is My Cousin Vinny
THE GENERAL IDEA
Bill and Stan are mistaken for murderers while on a roadtrip vacation before heading to college, and Bill’s family sends his street smart cousin who finally passed the bar and is now a lawyer to defend them for his first case as a lawyer.
THE GOOD
The cast in this is incredible and after one viewing you will be convinced Marisa Tomei was deserving of her Best Supporting Actress Oscar. She steals every scene she is in. Especially her hypothetical “deer by the water” scenario she shares with Vinny. This was also the last theatrical role for Fred Gwynne, most famous as the Frankenstein-like Herman on the Munsters.
The laughs are non-stop. Joe Pesci, fresh off the set of Goodfellas makes a convincing badass New Yorker and the accent that he and Tomei put on is just delightfully accurate.
While Ralph Maccio is 31 at the time of this film, he plays the eager and somewhat niave college student caught in a bad situation very well. His role is relatively minor – he is the unfortunate guy for which there needs to be a titular cousin named Vinny, but still important to the movie. Yet no one outshines Vinny, and his interactions with long time fiance Mona (Tomei) and the Judge make the whole film.
THE BAD
Your sides will likely be tender after viewing this. I still laugh heartily even with repeat viewings. You are warned.
OVERALL
The film delivers the laughs, which is all you can ask for in a comedy. But this does more. It has heart, and it keeps you drawn in. It even gives you some light hearted scenes to recover your breath before making you laugh again.
Typically this is where we would write a “Out of 10″ rating, but since all of these Forgotten Friday reviews are going to be what I would already give a high rating to, I have made my own rating system.
TV – Make a point of watching it if you see it listed on TV.
Rent – Good enough to go out of your way to see it, but not enough to buy it.
Buy – So good. You will watch it again and again. Buy it!
So on a scale of TV, Rent or Buy I suggest BUY! The movie makes its BluRay debut this week, so hit up your big box store and grab a copy!
Really enjoyed this movie. Pesci and Tomei are great together, and even though there is a lot more comedy than drama, there is enough seriousness to get you to care about the characters.
It is brilliant, there are no other words to describe it
This film is brilliant, that’s all that needs saying
Not one of my favs, but a good film none the less. It is repeated on cable all the time in my area, not sure if this actually qualifies as a Forgotten Friday film, but its a good film to introduce to the newer generations who haven’t been fortunate enough to see it yet.
“This is a feature to review some older films that maybe you have forgotten about or maybe never got around to seeing that we just want to share. They may not be old, maybe not forgotten, but they are not new. Just fun to share.”
It qualifies.
In the scene where Pesci finally gets a night of sleep in the prison they did a take of that scene and the camera pans over to Pesci sleeping with the Oscar he had just won for Goodfellas.
“What is a yute?”
“Hey there little yankee wuss I I got your $200 right here, you gonna kick my ass?”
*Jumps 3 feet off the ground and decks the guy*
After having this blasted on TV so many times, I find it hard to believe anyone visiting this site hasn’t been “exposed” to this by now in some form.
Besides that, yes, I agree, a classic.
I don’t know why it strikes me as funny as it does but Vinnie being woken up for what seemed like the 20th time in the middle of the night by the screeching owl and then he comes out of the house just guns a’blazing into the forest ,for me, is one of the funniest scenes ever. Great movie.
i cant remember but didnt this movie get a oscar?
what i do know is this is one of the best movies of all time hands down…..i mean it is some fricken serious gold in this flick.
Tomei won Best Supporting Actress.
does no one read the article?
“The cast in this is incredible and after one viewing you will be convinced Marisa Tomei was deserving of her Best Supporting Actress Oscar”
this was as close to perfection as a comedy gets for me.. i love this movie.
sadly no one has seen it
I think all these comments invalidates your last claim.
I just watched this movie again for the billionth time. Marisa Tomei still turns me on in the movie.
I love this movie! One of my favorite comedies.
So, I was 6 when this movie came out, but I saw it around the age of 10 on TV and have loved it ever since!! I’ve especially found a new appreciation for it now that I’ve moved to a small town with no good Chinese food, more than one store that would close completely if the staff got the flu and people with crude covered windows!! The deer scenario scene with Tomei has always been a favorite as well!
What an awesome idea for FF, Rodney! This movie was/is one of the best put together movies that Hollywood made. Very funny, very endearing, and very smart. I would also recommend a Buy, as it’s one of the ones I’ve spent my money on.
The highlight for me is how Vinny can’t get any sleep! LOL. True NYer!!!
Love this movie. Seen it several times. The cast are a riot.
Same here. I completely agree w/ Rodney you BUY this film.
“You did it! The case cracker, me in the shower! Ha ha! I love this! That’s it!”
This movie is hilarious. Joe Pesci at his finest.
This is 1 of my all time favorite movies, I saw it in the theater when it came out. Bought it on VHS, bought it on DVD and will buy on Blu-ray. The movie is non-stop laughs from beginning to end. I have to agree with 3R!C about his favorite seen, me too. Don’t forget the scene when he talks to the witness about the “crud covered screen” LOL.
DEFINATELY A MUST OWN!!!!!
“let me get this straight I can choose option A: You kicking my ass and collecting $200. Or Option B: Kicking your ass and collecting $200. Im gonna go with option B.”
Comic Gold! They dont make them like they use too.
Love this movie
The best is when he visited them in the prison:
“One way or the other you’re getting fucked!” LOL
great movie. good choice!
2 yoots!!!!
p.s.
i love fred gwynn.
i think the guy was a comedic supra genius.
Beat me to the 2 yoots thing…LOL
“what is a yoot?”