My Cousin Vinny
There have been many courtroom dramas that have glorified the Great American Legal System. This is not one of them.
Overview
Two carefree pals from Brooklyn traveling through rural Alabama on their way back to college are mistakenly arrested, and charged with murder. Fortunately, one of them has a cousin who's a lawyer - Vincent Gambini, a former auto mechanic from Brooklyn who just passed his bar exam after his sixth try. When he arrives with his leather-clad girlfriend, to try his first case, it's a real shock - for him and the Deep South!
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
Set in the early 1990s, My Cousin Vinny tackles themes relevant to that era such as racial tensions, stereotypes, and regional differences. The movie offers a humorous commentary on the legal system during this time.
- Enjoyable and humorous courtroom drama that cleverly combines comedy and legal suspense.
- Outstanding performances by Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei, particularly Pesci's comedic portrayal of an eccentric but skilled lawyer.
- A unique blend of humor and a thought-provoking examination of racial prejudice and the American justice system.
- Engaging characters that evolve throughout the film, making for a compelling viewing experience.
Fun Facts
- Joe Pesci won the Best Actor Award at the 1993 MTV Movie Awards for his performance as Vinny Gambini.
- The film was inspired by director Jonathan Lynn's own experiences with a New York attorney during a wrongful death trial in Alabama.
- Marisa Tomei initially auditioned for the role of Mona Lisa Vito, but the casting directors initially thought she was too glamorous. After she cut her hair and wore more casual clothes, she won the part.
Available Languages
English
US
Title:
"There have been many courtroom dramas that have glorified the Great American Legal System. This is not one of them."
Deutsch
DE
Title: Mein Vetter Winnie
"Wahrheit, Gerechtigkeit und der Gambini-Weg."
Italiano
IT
Title: Mio cugino Vincenzo
"Rambo. Terminator. Indiana Jones. Vincenzo Gambini."
Bokmål
NO
Title:
""
Français
FR
Title: Mon cousin Vinny
"Vérité, Justice et la façon Gambini."
Magyar
HU
Title: Vinny, az 1 ügyű
"Rambo. Terminator. Indiana Jones. Vinny Gambini."
Where to Watch
Cast
Crew
Reviews
_**Funny, with characters you care about**_
"My Cousin Vinny" was a hit when it was released in 1992. Two youths from New York are wrongly accused of murder while traveling through Alabama and one of them (Ralph Macchio) calls on his inexperienced lawyer cousin, Vinny (Joe Pesci), to defend them. Vinny roles into town with his hot fiancé (Marisa Tomei) intent on winning his first big case.
I've heard a lot about this movie over the years, but never got around to seeing it till the other night and was pleasantly surprised. It's part fish-out-of-water comedy and part courtroom drama. The hulking Fred Gwynne plays the staunch judge, an amusing performance. It was Gwynne's last film.
The movie is filled with laughs throughout, but it's more than just a goofball comedy. At some point early in the second act I strangely found myself liking Vinny and wanting him to succeed. I also found myself warming up to Vinny & his fiancé as a couple. They're an odd couple, but somehow click. I guess this is where Marisa got the reputation for liking short, stocky men.
Speaking of Marisa, she's just stunning here, although I prefer her more as she gets older, e.g. 2008's "The Wrestler.”
The film was shot in Georgia and runs 120 minutes.
GRADE: B+
This never stops being funny no matter how many times you watch it.
I think Marisa Tomei won or was nominated for an Oscar for this... and it was well deserved. In a lot of her movies she played the role of "a pretty face" but she not only stood her ground against Joe Pesci but she actually out shined him in a few scenes.
That is a hard thing to do, usually when Pesci is cast he's the best part of the film... and he was priceless in this... and Marisa Tomei out did him.
So what you have is a movie that is endlessly quotable, completely hysterical, and has two of the best performances you'll see in any movie, drama or comedy... with a script that backs it up.
Movies don't get better than this.
Oscar Awards
Wins
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE - 1992
Marisa Tomei
Nominations
Haven't Nominated for Oscar
Media
Featurette
“My Cousin Vinny” (1992) What if Cardi B played Mona Lisa Vito?! | The Recast
Trailer
Trailer
Featurette
Marisa Tomei Wins Supporting Actress | 65th Oscars (1993)