My Cousin Vinny (1992)

Director:

Jonathan Lynn

Writer (WGA):

Dale Launer (written by)

Release Date:

13 March 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime

Tagline:

Rambo. Terminator. Indiana Jones. Vinny Gambini.

Plot:

Bill and Stan are mistaken for murderers while on vacation, and Bill's family sends his cousin to defend them for his first case as a lawyer.

Plot Keywords:

Lawyer | Cousin | Murder | Alabama | Jail

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Joe Pesci	...	Vincent 'Vinny' Gambini
Ralph Macchio	...	William 'Billy' Gambini
Marisa Tomei	...	Mona Lisa Vito
Mitchell Whitfield	...	Stan Rothenstein
Fred Gwynne	...	Judge Chamberlain Haller
Lane Smith	...	D.A. Jim Trotter, III
Austin Pendleton	...	John Gibbons
Bruce McGill	...	Sheriff Dean Farley
Maury Chaykin	...	Sam Tipton
Paulene Myers	...	Constance Riley (as Pauline Meyers)
Raynor Scheine	...	Ernie Crane
James Rebhorn	...	George Wilbur
Chris Ellis	...	J.T.
Michael Simpson	...	Neckbrace
Lou Walker	...	Grits Cook

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

120 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Iceland:L | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Canada:14A | Chile:14 | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:6 | Norway:15 | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:R | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Alto, Georgia, USA

Company:

Palo Vista Productions

Trivia:

The misunderstanding between Vincent Gambini and Judge Haller regarding the two "utes" was in fact a real conversation between Joe Pesci and director Jonathan Lynn, who then decided that it should be added to the movie's script.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Vinny's car is first shown going through town, it says, "Cadillac" on the grill. When the car pulls into the parking space to examine the tires, it doesn't say "Cadillac" on the grill.

Quotes:

Bill: We think they're trying to set us up as patsies, Ma. You know how corrupt it is down here. They all know each other.
Stan: The Klan's here. They're inbred. They sleep with their sisters.
[a deputy glares at him]
Stan: Some of them do.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Blonde Poison: The Making of 'Basic Instinct' (2001) (V)

Soundtrack:

WAY DOWN SOUTH

The more I watch it --- the funnier it gets!!

Definitely one of my all-time favorite comedies. Well directed, well acted -- priceless comic performances by Pesci, Tomei, Gwynne & Austin Pendleton. And more than comedy -- there's also a lot of genuine pathos and real tension and drama, especially in the final courtroom scene. And I really don't understand the "controversy" or brouhaha over Marisa Tomei receiving the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in this movie. It's a crackerjack gem of a performance and a stellar comic portrayal. The only thing I can figure is that a lot of snobbery about serious dramatic portrayals somehow being more worthy of honor than great comic performances still very much lives on in much of the film community.