Benny and Joon
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Movie Reviews of Benny and Joon
Movie Review: Torn Between Two Ratings
Summary: 5 Stars
I was torn between 4 and 5 stars. For this genre, it is an easy 5 star rating, but it is not my favorite genre, so I would give a 4 star rating for the general public. Since the former is more significant, it deserves 5 stars.Johnny Depp plays Sam and does another excellent job. This is more in line with "Chocolate" than "Edward Scissorhands" (I liked the former but detest the latter). He is quiet, but entertaining. He is not shown as obsessed with Buster Keaton, but he does bang-up jobs of mimicking him. The scenes in the park are great.
Aidan Quinn is very good as Benny. He holds the role of protective older brother to Joon. Some of his later actions are predictable, but Quinn never falls out of line with his characters.
Mary Stuart Masterson does a good job as Joon (Juniper "Joon" Pearl). Only a couple times does she slip out of character. When she is in-character, she is excellent.
The plot is simple. Some people claim that it is unrealistic. For the majority of people, yes it is. However, truth is stranger than fiction and this is a feel-good movie that reminds us of positive things and looking forward to another day.
The lenghth of the movie is good. Only for a couple minutes during the start did I question if it would go too long (the opening train sequence is visually entertaining, but could have been cut short).
The sound is a big factor for me. This movie comes through with a big thumbs-up. The music is clean and upbeat, like a blend of Gershwin and Supertramp. The editing is excellent (except for one case with the car stopping, but the rest is so much better than normal that it probably shouldn't be mentioned). The sound really put this movie in the 5-star league.
Movie Review: Benny and Joon
Summary: 5 Stars
I would walk a thousand miles and I would walk a thousand more just to see this movie again. Wow. Mary Stuart Masterson is brilliant in this one on the same level as Fried Green Tomatoes and dare I say, Bed of Roses...maybe just behind. And Johnny Depp is geniune and sincere making a performance that made him the heart throb and household name, holding a similar note as his performance in Edward Scissorhands. Maybe not as spacey.
As if those two weren't enough Aiden Quinn(At play in the fields of lord) does a bang up job with help from Oliver Platt, Julianne Moore and couple other notables.
This is the story of an older brother who is a mechanic living single with his sister living day to day hand to mouth. He has'nt had a real relationship in a while and they never seem to last very long and his sister, well she has been known to conduct traffic with a snorkel and ping pong paddles, need I say more.
Well the story turns the wrong way on the highway when in a game of poker Joon loses and becomes the employer and roomate of a young man who is living the life of Buster Keaton.
All details a side this is a romantic comedy that has redifined the genre. Wow. did I say that already. These two awkward and quirky young ones fall head over heels for each other and no matter what they are for each other no matter the odds, no matter the weather. If you have need for a feel good movie to watch with a boyfriend, girlfriend, husband or wife this is a must have. As far as I have seen they don't come better than this.
Movie Review: Good story, Depp is brilliant!
Summary: 5 Stars
I love this feel-good movie! It's a special treat to watch Sam, Johnny Depp's quirky, sweet and child-like character, who makes grilled cheese sandwiches with an iron and entertains at a park with his impressive Buster Keaton-like routines. He looks and acts like someone who walked in from another era, maybe even another planet. Watch Depp's facial expressions -- intense and hilarious! There are heavy moments, such as the bus scene: When the romance between Sam and Joon (Mary Stuart Masterson) is misunderstood, forcing the pair to run away, Sam comes face to face with the reality of mental illness as Joon becomes severely agitated with the voices in her head. But he never gives up on love, finding a way to get to Joon at the mental hospital by dangling acrobatically just outside her room from a window washer's perch (my favorite scene). And yes, there's a happy ending.
I watched this movie with my husband and our children (ages 10 and 12). If you plan to watch Benny & Joon with kids, be aware that bad words are used a couple of times, and there's a romantic scene between Sam and Joon that's slightly steamy but not distasteful. Overall, though, the touching story, dialogue, and humor make this a fine movie to watch with kids over 9 years of age (younger kids would probably find it boring).
Creative story with fun characters! Some of the almost surreal scenes will replay in your mind to make you smile and even laugh out loud.
Movie Review: You'll never think of grilled cheese sandwiches the same way again!
Summary: 5 Stars
I saw this around the time it was first released and have recommended it over and over--it's near the top of my list of favorite films. As far as I'm concerned, this is a must-see and am glad I finally own it. The captivating storyline portrays real-life difficult situations that anyone could experience and keeps you guessing. The performances from both the principals and the supporting cast are all superb. This is truly an ensemble cast; the three principals don't overshadow the supporting cast at all. (I was particularly taken with Dan Hedaya's performance; he impressed me in The First Wives' Club and does the same here.) Depp's seemingly effortless portrayal of a physically demanding role provides jaw-dropping amazement and humor on a grand scale. His performance here just ratchets up my admiration for his mastery of his craft. (The DVD extras didn't spend nearly enough time on how much training he went through, but what -was- shown was astounding. An excellent illustration of what hard work goes into portraying a role.) Great music, comedy, a believable and excellently portrayed story of comedy, romance, and conflict between self-sacrifice for family duties and responsiblities vs. letting go. This is a heart-warming film that will have you humming the music and leave you with the feeling that difficult situations can be resolved with the best possible outcomes for everyone involved--given some imagination, trust, and love.Movie Review: Do you need further proof of Depp's talents?
Summary: 5 Stars
A mechanic, Benny(Aiden Quinn) who has a mentally disabled sister, Joon(Mary Stuart Masterson) is a bit fed with her, she's always causing trouble and making the house-sitters quit, he's been taking care of her needs so long, he's forgotten his own needs and loss touch with the world a little. Finally when Sam(Johnny Depp) is won at a poker game he has to keep him over for his friend at his house for the night. Sam is an eccentric guy who is a crazy clownish man who cannot read, and tames Joon's wild heart. Its a very sad movie, but has an ultimately happy ending.
What makes this film really work though, is the acting. The plot isn't entirely special, but the acting all around from Aiden Quinn to Mary Stuart Masterson to Julianne Moore, the acting is great!!! But the one who truly makes this film a worth-while experience is Depp, he lightens up every scene he is in. If you are just discovering Depp's extrordinary acting talents(if so, shame on you!), then this is a great place to start. He is absolutely hilarious and does some extrordinary physical comedy inspired by some of the greatest comedians of all times, Charlie Chaplin & Buster Keaton.
So sit back, relax, and *enjoy* Benny&Joon!
God Bless ~Amy