Episode 19 : My Cousin Vinny

There’s almost no way My Cousin Vinny wouldn’t have been a hit in 1992. You’ve either seen it or know the title of the film. The story mixes a serious crime into a film that’s clearly a comedy, and it’s easy to see why it received such critical acclaim upon its release. A well-paced, entertaining watch, and though it may seem run-of-the-mill, Vinny is a unique movie that shouldn’t be swallowed into the bin of lost films.

▶️ While on a road trip, two boys are arrested for murder they didn’t commit. Caught in a serious out-of-town jam, they call upon cousin Vinny, the only attorney that will work for free. We’ll discuss what makes this movie work as a comedy, how it sustains itself on intelligent humor and isn’t a one-trick joke. Even though Vinny is the main man, the movie is an ensemble piece, so we’ll hit on why Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei, Fred Gwynne and Ralph Macchio are a powerful group, supported by a whole cast of bit players who add a rich background to the story. We’ll round out the discussion with how the real-life law community has taken notice of the film, and also bring up the tiny controversy behind Tomei’s Oscar win for the film.

▶️ Although our Picks of the Week greatly differ, they also offer up unique brands of humor. Justin opted for Vinny director Jonathan Lynn’s first film, the beloved, Clue (1985). Love it or hate it, it’s a movie created after the murder mystery board game with wild, slapstick humor that never stops. Lindsay went the Marisa Tomei route and chose Slums of Beverly Hills (1998). Set in the mid-70s, Slums is a coming-of-age movie about a girl and her nomadic, neurotic family moving from place to place, and then become entrusted with taking in their troubled cousin straightening out her life.

▶️ We travel to steamy Florida for this one, back to a movie that made us rewind a more few times than usual. Back to a Billy Murray movie wherein people often forget he holds a hefty supporting role. Oh yes, we’re going back to that time Billy was the only guy not having sex in 1998’s swamp trash murder mystery, Wild Things.

▶️ Though we know we’re in for a somewhat predictable courtroom comedy, My Cousin Vinny never ceases to be a sharp, entertaining ride. The main characters are brash, but it’s for a purpose and only helps enrich this snappy depiction of a murder trial. Other movies can tend to glorify the American legal system... this is not one of them.