SNMR 4.8: "My Cousin Vinny"

Tonight's SNMR feature is "My Cousin Vinny" (1992, R, 120 minutes), starring Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei, Ralph Macchio, Fred Gwynne Lane Smith, Mitchell Whitfield and Bruce McGill. The film was directed by Jonathan Lynn.

The first time I saw this movie was when it came out on DVD, the year I graduated from college. My girlfriend (at that time) and I rented it. Since then I've watched this movie a few times. Hot Marisa Tomei won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mona Lisa Vito.

PLOT SUMMARY: Two New York City boys (Macchio, Whitfield) are mistakenly arrested as murderers while passing through a small Alabama town. Since they have no money for an attorney, the family sends down a cousin who recently graduated from law school to defend the boys. Vincent Gambini and his girlfriend, New Yorkers with stereotypical accents come to save the day (Tomei).

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS MOVIE: I still think this movie is funny despite the overuse of the f-word and other profanity. Pesci and Tomei have good comedic timing and some of the situations and one-liners in this movie are hilarious. I also love the way that they exaggerate their Noo-Yawk accents. The late actor (most notably as Herman Munster) and children's book author Fred Gwynne, gives a very underrated comic performance as Judge Chamberlain Haller.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE ABOUT THIS MOVIE: Well, I'm not a fan of excessive profanity, so that bothered me. I wonder if this movie would still be as funny if the writer used cleaner language.

*** out of *****