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Storyline
When Manny Singer's wife dies, his young daughter Molly becomes mute and withdrawn. To help cope with looking after Molly, he hires sassy housekeeper Corrina Washington, who coaxes Molly out of her shell and shows father and daughter a whole new way of life. Manny and Corrina's friendship delights Molly and enrages the other townspeople. Written by
Alexander Lum <aj_lum@postoffice.utas.edu.au>
Plot Summary
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Taglines:
They needed a family. What they got was magic.
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Did You Know?
Trivia
The song Molly starts playing continuously on the piano before stopping after the first seven notes is "Good King Wenceslas".
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Goofs
In the dinner scene where Corrina and Manny have a little chat, Corrina's cigarette switches from one hand to the other several times.
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Quotes
Corrina Washington:
What? Now look. This is nice, huh?
Jevina:
Oh no. Now that's cute.
Corrina Washington:
You can't fit in that.
Jevina:
I can still fit in somethin' like that.
Corrina Washington:
You cannot. Have you seen what's behind you recently? Let me turn to the maternity page.
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Connections
Features
The Shari Lewis Show (1960)
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Soundtracks
"OVER THE RAINBOW"
Performed by
Jevetta Steele See more »
Corrina, Corrina
Manny Singer (Ray Liotta) is a struggling songwriter for a company that makes television commercials, who also has a loving wife and a daughter, Molly (Tina Majorino). When his wife dies, Manny's whole life falls apart, his daughter stops speaking, and he develops a creative block on his jingle-writing skills that threatens to get him fired. To solve one of these problems, he starts looking for a nanny for Molly, reluctantly settling on Corrina Washington (Whoopi Goldberg), a woman who has recently moved into town to stay with her sister, and who also happens to be black. Though far from the most efficient housekeeper in the town, Corrina clicks instantly with Molly, who eventually starts to speak again. Manny also takes a shine to Corrina, and a friendship soon forms between the two widows, but they can't seem to agree on what is best for Molly.
As easy as it may be to classify 'Corrina, Corrina' as a fifties-set drama, I'm inclined to resist this temptation, for two main reasons. Firstly, aside from the underlying comments about race, the fifties setting is used only as a backdrop, with the focus on a very heartfelt dramedy, which leads me to my second point. 'Corrina, Corrina' is certainly moving, and there are times when you may feel the need to reach for a box of tissues. But it's also quite hilarious as well, and writer/director Jessie Nelson finds a fine balance between the dramatic and comedic beats to make a remarkable motion picture. Liotta, Goldberg and Majorino give wonderful performances, and these really do feel like real characters. A real winner.
~ 8/10 ~