My Cousin Vinny | Pleasure Ride Indeed | The Critique

You mistakenly shoplifted a can of tuna. Police arrests you for murder. Murder actually took place and Police has eye-witnesses who identified you. What will you do? My Cousin Vinny tells you an interesting story. Billy and Stan are arrested for murder and being accessory to murder respectively in Alabama. With no money, they somehow manage to get an attorney whose qualification is taking six years to clear bar and experience of six weeks in handling personal injury. Mess, well, yes.

Vinny, the attorney, is cousin of Billy and is in a kind of situation. He tells some lofty lies to judge, is not able to grasp the procedure and has no trial experience. Plus, he has a girlfriend who is pretty, will marry him only after he win his first case and her clock is ticking. The judge is having a certain disdain for Northerners and is an old school guy. Vinny’s lack of respect, which is actually lack of knowledge rather, for court procedures is an eyesore for him. Billy and Stan are worried as their life depend on this case. In hostile South, they might be fried if held guilty.

Film works for multiple reason. Characters are funny. Vinny and Mona, his girlfriend, has an amazing chemistry. Both are knowledgeable but lack the conventional way to express it. Funny scenes which meant to provide burst of laughs turn out to be little gems of intellect at a later stage. Script is terrific to say the least. Courtroom demeanors are realistic. Real-life lawyers connected well with the story and presentation. Performances are good. Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei and Fred Gwynne, who plays judge, were amazing. Marisa won Academy for Best Supporting Actress.

My Cousin Vinny is a small delightful movie. Watch out for little moments and gestures. You will love it.

Written By: Sujoy Ghosh