Benny & Joon (1993)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Jeremiah S. Chechik

Writers (WGA):

Barry Berman (story) &
Lesley McNeil (story) ...

Release Date:

16 April 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

A romance on the brink of reality.

Plot:

A mentally ill young woman finds her love in an eccentric man who models himself after Buster Keaton.

Plot Keywords:

Sibling | Mechanic | Poker | Love | Toast

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 3 nominations

Cast

Johnny Depp	...	Sam
Mary Stuart Masterson	...	Juniper 'Joon' Pearl
Aidan Quinn	...	Benjamin 'Benny' Pearl
Julianne Moore	...	Ruthie
Oliver Platt	...	Eric
CCH Pounder	...	Dr. Garvey (as C.C.H. Pounder)
Dan Hedaya	...	Thomas
Joe Grifasi	...	Mike
William H. Macy	...	Randy Burch
Liane Alexandra Curtis	...	Claudia
Eileen Ryan	...	Mrs. Smail
Don Hamilton	...	UPS Man
Waldo Larson	...	Waldo
Irvin Johnson	...	Orderly
Shane Nilsson	...	Orderly

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | South Korea:12 | Norway:11 (TV rating) | Australia:PG | Finland:K-10 | France:U | Germany:12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | UK:12 | USA:PG | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Pend Oreille River, Washington, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

Ruthie's movie "Prom Queen Muitlator" only took 45 minutes to shoot.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the park, when Benny goes to help Sam up, his tie is not tied, but hanging loosely. In the next shot it is tied again

Quotes:

Sam: Thanks for the couch. Um... Mike made me sleep under the sink.

Movie Connections:

Spoofs Girl Shy (1924)

Soundtrack:

PUSHIN' FORWARD BACK

very sweet and heartwarming

Sparingly and compactly made, an excellent sweet film. I found myself laughing out loud, along with my 15-year-old daughter. The sequences with Johnny Depp in the park were delightful and fun. I also found the portrayal of Joon very sympathetic and real. Aidan Quinn was just right in his role of Benny, restrained and compassionate, with just the right amount of yearning to be free. I was touched by the scenes of Benny and Joon's parents' death. Johnny Depp was, as always, original and amazing. He is so elastic. This movie shows a very sweet, innocent side of him which is rarely seen elsewhere. His flexibility and physical prowess are astounding, as are his gentleness with Joon and the sympathy with which he views her. I think my favorite scene may be the last one, where the two of them are in the kitchen ironing cheese sandwiches! Sweet, fun movie!