Summary
- Kamala Harris loves My Cousin Vinny, a 1992 comedy thriller, as her top screen pick.
- The movie, surprisingly, is one of the most legally accurate courtroom tales in fiction.
- Marisa Tomei delivers a powerhouse performance, earning an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
As a cinephile who has seen more films than I can count, I must say that “My Cousin Vinny” stands out as one of the most entertaining and insightful movies I’ve ever watched – and I’ve seen quite a few! The film offers a unique perspective on the legal system through the eyes of an inexperienced lawyer, played by the brilliant Joe Pesci, who brings his signature charm to the role.
The Democratic nominee for president, Kamala Harris, has made significant strides in her career. Originally serving as a senator from California and later as attorney general of the same state, she has now become the first female vice president ever in the United States. Additionally, she is also the first African American and the first Asian American to hold this position.
Over time, Harris has been open about her artistic preferences. In the realm of films, she has shown a particular fondness for superhero movies, particularly those from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), including _Black Panther_ and _Avengers_, which are among her favorites. She even participated in a charity Zoom call with the cast of _Avengers_ in 2020.
Concerning television, she’s confessed to setting aside a couple of hours for the FX drama “Yellowjackets”. However, her preferred choice isn’t one of the films about female leaders. Instead, as reported by The Independent, her favorite screen production is the 1992 comedy-thriller titled “My Cousin Vinny“, which features Joe Pesci in the lead role.
What Is My Cousin Vinny About?
The movie chronicles the story of lawyer Vinny Gambini, who has a penchant for flashy jewelry, taking on a case. This time, it’s his cousin, Bill, along with their friend Stan, who find themselves in legal trouble. Their predicament started when they unknowingly shoplifted a can of tuna from an Alabama convenience store. The trio, being college students, were subsequently arrested.
Bill admitted his guilt in what he thought was a simple case of shoplifting, oblivious to the fact that they were actually being accused of first-degree murder. However, unbeknownst to them, the store owner had been murdered, and they were the last individuals spotted at the scene.
As a fervent supporter, I can attest that finding a reliable lawyer became an excruciating endeavor for the two students, as their resources were scarce. In a pinch, Bill decided to look within his network and chose his cousin Vinny, who agreed to represent them pro bono. However, little did they know, this decision would ignite a whirlwind of complications. It turned out that Vinny was far from being a seasoned professional. He had just barely passed the bar after seven unsuccessful attempts, and had never stepped foot in a courtroom before. This was where their troubles truly began.
Despite that, he maintains a façade, convincing Bill and the judge that he is one of New York’s hotshot lawyers. Eventually, the deception begins to show, with Vinny constantly being held in contempt for his unprofessional retorts, questionable fashion choices, carefree attitude, and naivety regarding courtroom practices.
My Cousin Vinny Is More Legally Accurate Than It Looks
At first glance, My Cousin Vinny might appear to be an over-exaggerated comedy about courtroom drama. But in reality, it boasts one of the most authentic legal narratives in fictional works. This shouldn’t come as a surprise since its director, Jonathan Lynn, holds a law degree from the University of Cambridge. In fact, the publication Litigation & Trial advises every aspiring young lawyer to watch this film.
“The film ‘My Cousin Vinny’ maintains a strong resemblance to real life, even down to its specifics. One reason it continues to resonate with legal professionals is because, unlike movies such as ‘A Few Good Men‘, the events depicted in ‘My Cousin Vinny’ are plausible and frequently occur during trials.”
Additional resources for support can be found across multiple sources, as evidenced by how the principles presented in “A Guide to Forensic Testimony: The Art and Practice of Presenting Testimony” corroborate the practicality of the film.
“This resource offers a fun and highly beneficial guide on how to present expert witnesses in court, suitable for those new to the field as well as seasoned attorneys.”
In addition to this, a comedy-thriller movie has received praise from federal judges. An article titled “Ten Things Every Trial Lawyer Could Learn From Vincent La Guardia Gambini” written by Judge Joseph F. Anderson and published in the January 2017 issue of SC Lawyer Magazine highlights the film. He commends it as a model for cross-examination techniques, also noting that it accurately forecasted the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Kumho Tire Co. v. Carmichael, which now sets the standard for when expert witnesses can testify during federal trials in the United States.
“In our line of work, the comedic film serves as an exceptional educational resource, simultaneously creating a remarkable cinematic experience. This movie rekindles the public’s trust in the legal trial process and the adversarial system, demonstrating their effectiveness in uncovering truth and delivering justice.”
In his book “Law and Literature,” a renowned judge from the 20th century, Richard Posner of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, points out that the movie offers numerous practical suggestions.
“It emphasizes how a criminal defense lawyer must stand his ground against a hostile judge, even at the cost of exasperating the judge, because the lawyer’s primary audience is the jury, not the judge.”
Great minds do indeed have similar opinions and tastes.
Hilarious Dialogue and Powerhouse Performances from Marisa Tomei and Joe Pesci
In a world filled with brotherly camaraderie, My Cousin Vinny certainly stands out. Yet, it’s Marisa Tomei who captivates us all as Mona Lisa Vito, Vinny’s girlfriend. She is as riveting as the Da Vinci masterpiece she shares a name with.
“I bet the Chinese food in this town is terrible,”
In the minuscule Alabama town, where Lisa’s boyfriend plans to exert his nonexistent legal authority, she enters and immediately comments. Throughout her stay, she exhibits both whiny and supportive behavior. Despite the jokes, stomping, and shouting, she provides valuable legal guidance to her clueless boyfriend. For instance, she explains the distinction between the tire tracks on Bill’s car and those at the crime scene. According to Lisa, her proficiency in automobiles originates from her time working as a mechanic in her father’s garage.
Indeed, Tomei was awarded an Oscar for her exceptional supporting role, categorized as Best Supporting Actress. Similarly impressive was Pesci’s acting prowess, which he skillfully molded around the Italian-American archetypes that have been beneficial to his career. Consequently, his character often appeared more reminiscent of a sinister gangster movie antagonist rather than a lawyer, due to details like gold chains, black leather jackets, and a sleek Cadillac convertible.
Beyond this, he portrays himself as fearless and calls the defendants “these two youngsters,” which annoys the judge. Despite this, he is a kind and humorous individual. Most importantly, he effectively conveys the necessary emotions in Vinny, making him a captivating and identifiable character throughout the movie. Pesci injects the lawyer with energy that is both frantic, desperate, exasperated, and hopeful. The dialogue between the lovers is what keeps the film alive.
Beyond the pair of characters, viewers encounter numerous quotable lines, some of which offer satirical jabs at the legal system.
“We’re going to run enough electricity through you to light up Birmingham,”
As a movie enthusiast, let me tell you this: In the film, the sheriff makes good on his word when I blurt out something incriminating. The judge doesn’t hesitate to fire off some witty remarks at Vinny, who seems to be in over his head. This banter, coming from all the characters, will surely energize every viewer. If you’ve been struggling to find a good laugh, give My Cousin Vinny a try. It just might become your favorite movie too, as it is for Kamala Harris.
My Cousin Vinny
can be streamed on Hulu, or rented on Apple TV+
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2024-08-24 01:02