'My Cousin Vinny'
The Ringer's Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Wesley Morris look to answer the question of "What is a yute?" by revisiting the 1992 comedy 'My Cousin Vinny,' starring Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei, Ralph Macchio, and Fred Gwynne.
Cast
Joe Pesci as Vinny Gambini
Marisa Tomei as Mona Lisa Vito
Ralph Macchio as Bill Gambini
Mitchell Whitfield as Stan Rothenstein
Fred Gwynne as Judge Chamberlain Haller
Bruce McGill as Sheriff Farley
Lane Smith as Jim Trotter III
Austin Pendleton as John Gibbons
James Rebhorn as D.A. Jim Trotter
Maury Chaikin as Sam Tipton
Directed by: Jonathan Lynn
Written by: Dale Launer
Categories
Quote from Rog's review:
“My Cousin Vinny is a movie that meanders along going nowhere in particular, and then lightning strikes.”
Called it 'the kind of movie home video was invented for – not worth the trip to the theater, but slam it into the VCR.'
- Mona Lisa Vito's courtroom testimony – like a beautifully choreographed dance sequence; the scene that won Tomei the Oscar.
- The police confession misunderstanding – Macchio thinks he's being questioned about shoplifting tuna.
- The grits cross-examination scene.
- Bill Belichick quoting the film during Deflategate: 'I don't claim to be the Mona Lisa Vito of inflation'.
- Marisa Tomei's clothes/styling; the screenwriting trick of everyone underestimating each other.
- They say the title in the movie; classic quotable humor.
- Austin Pendleton's stuttering public defender – he received angry letters from the stuttering community.
- Bruce McGill's oral history quotes about Pesci's 'Svengali relationship' with Tomei and being hard on the director.
- The loss of adult comedies like this as a genre.
- This movie is why people think they can defend themselves in court – has done more harm than good.
- Judge Haller wastes the city's time and money with repeated contempt citations instead of just removing Vinny.
- Andrew Dice Clay was originally cast as Vinny; removed after saying something horrible to a studio VP.
- Jim Belushi claims he regretted turning it down; Lorraine Bracco was approached for the Tomei role.
- Will Smith auditioned for the Stan Rothenstein role.
Marisa Tomei's biological clock scene – dials it up to 190 mph.
- Maury Chaikin (the grits cook witness).
- Lane Smith (the prosecutor).
- The murder charge setup – the idea that the kids would confess to something they weren't told about is a huge leap of faith.
- The stuttering public defender subplot is unnecessary.
- Joe Pesci – yes, this era (1989-1995) is his apex, possibly this specific movie.
- Marisa Tomei – yes, this is her apex mountain.
- Grits in movies – definitely apex mountain.
Will Wheaton or Robert Downey Jr. suggested for Mitchell Whitfield's role.
- Budget $11 million, made ~$64 million domestic.
- Pesci knocking over the chess board was an accident they kept.
- ABA Journal ranked it #3 on their 25 greatest legal movies list.
- Marisa Tomei got it (Best Supporting Actress) – unanimously deserved.
- Discussion of the Jack Palance announcement controversy; her competition was four British actresses.
- Macchio isn't scared enough in the first 15 minutes for someone arrested for murder in Alabama.
- No media or journalists covering the murder trial at all.
- Did Vinny and Lisa stay together? Wesley says yes 100%.
- Is Pesci the greatest wig actor ever?
Deemed untouchable because of Pesci and Tomei's irreplaceable performances.
'Goodfellas' + 'My Cousin Vinny' – a great five-hour Pesci double feature.
- Pesci's Patrick Ewing sneakers.
- Pesci's wig.
No self-respecting Southerner uses instant grits.
Marisa Tomei – unanimous; complete command of her part, the courtroom testimony is transcendent.
Jesse Lopez (Craig Horlbeck was away).