Frankie and Johnny (1991)

Johnny has just been released from prison, and gets a job in a cafe beside waitress Frankie. Frankie is a bit of a loner, but Johnny is determined their romance will blossom.

Director:

Garry Marshall

Writers:

Terrence McNally (play), Terrence McNally (screenplay)

Stars:

Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Hector Elizondo

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 5 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Al Pacino	...	Johnny
Michelle Pfeiffer	...	Frankie
Hector Elizondo	...	Nick
Nathan Lane	...	Tim
Kate Nelligan	...	Cora
Jane Morris	...	Nedda
Greg Lewis	...	Tino
Al Fann	...	Luther
Ele Keats	...	Artemis
Fernando López	...	Jorge
Glenn Plummer	...	Peter
Tim Hopper	...	Lester
Harvey Miller	...	Mr. Rosen
Sean O'Bryan	...	Bobby
Goldie McLaughlin	...	Waitress Helen

Storyline

Johnny has just been released from prison, and gets a job in a cafe beside waitress Frankie. Frankie is a bit of a loner, but Johnny is determined their romance will blossom.

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Plot Keywords:

cafe | love | restaurant | middle aged man | waitress | 

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Taglines:

You never choose love. Love chooses you.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and sensuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 October 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Frankie & Johnny

Filming Locations:

Glendale, California, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$22,773,535 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kathy Bates, who had originated the role of Frankie on stage, was passed over in favor of Michelle Pfeiffer - a fate that often seemed to befall her stage characters when transferred to the screen, which delayed her eventual success on film. Ironically, in this case, it was Marshall's former brother-in-law, Rob Reiner, who gave Bates her big-screen break in Misery.

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Goofs

When Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer come home after their first date. They begin to make the bed. Al Pacino starts to take his jacket off. When he jumps on the bed to bite her butt, his jacket is completely on, and he must take it off again.

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Quotes

Johnny: I know I can't the make the bad go away. You're right, I can't. But when the bad comes again, I am gonna be next to you.

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Connections

References Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977)

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Soundtracks

Additional Greek Music Courtesy of
Associated Production Music/
Firstcom/Music House/Chappel/
Southern Library of Recorded Music

User Reviews

A must see; Pfeiffer surprises

with an excellent performance as a waitress in a down-at-heel coffee shop in NYC. Sounds unlikely, but she actually adapts to the role. Having seen "Dangerous Minds", which was a good film, but somehow she didn't fit that role. "Frankie and Johnny" is a great film to watch; I happened to watch it after a bad day, and it does take you out of your own problems.

Pacino plays a man just released from prison, who lost his wife and child to another man, trying to remake his life; this was based on a play by the same name, "Frankie and Johnny in the Claire De Lune" and basically addresses loneliness and isolation, even in a city as overcrowded as NY.

I wish Pfeiffer had done more of these roles. She was so often used as a decoration, her acting ability was not allowed to standout ("Scarface", "Witches of Eastwick") etc. She was also very good in "White Oleander" an excellent film based on the novel by Janet Fitch.

Overall this film is particularly good if you are having problems in your life, and happen to watch this basic story of people, how they stay isolated, how they eventually find each other and a commonality in their life. It is also not an over the top romantic comedy, so it has credibility. 10/10.