Benny & Joon (1993)

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

Director:

Jeremiah S. Chechik (as Jeremiah Chechik)

Writers:

Barry Berman (story), Lesley McNeil (story) (as Leslie McNeil)

Stars:

Johnny Depp, Mary Stuart Masterson, Aidan Quinn

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Johnny Depp	...	Sam
Mary Stuart Masterson	...	Joon Pearl
Aidan Quinn	...	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 Curtis	...	Claudia (as Liane Alexandra Curtis)
Eileen Ryan	...	Mrs. Smail
Don Hamilton	...	UPS Man
Waldo Larson	...	Waldo
Irvin Johnson	...	Orderly
Shane Nilsson	...	Orderly

Storyline

In Spokane, Washington, Juniper Pearl - Joon to those that know her - is an artist. She is also a mentally challenged young woman who requires around the clock care, as she could cause harm to herself or others. Her brother Benny Pearl, who owns and operates a garage and who is her only living relative since their parents died twelve years ago in a car accident, has made the decision that she would live at home with him, in the process sacrificing being able to have a personal life of his own. He has hired full-time housekeepers to provide that care when he isn't around. However, he has exhausted the list of housekeepers, who keep quitting because Joon is too much to handle. As such, Benny makes the decision that perhaps it would be best for all concerned if Joon were to live in a group home, something he is hesitating telling her for fear of her reaction. Into their lives comes Sam, the eccentric cousin of Benny's friend Mike, Sam who they obtained from Mike in a losing hand of poker...

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Plot Keywords:

sibling | love | poker | mechanic | affection | 

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Taglines:

A romance on the brink of reality.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for theme, a scene of mild sensuality and one use of harsh language

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 April 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Corazones en conflicto

Filming Locations:

301 North Cedar Street, Spokane, Washington, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,285,063, 18 April 1993, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$23,202,734

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM),Roth-Arnold Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Woody Harrelson was due to be in the film, but dropped out to do Indecent Proposal (1993), and because he dropped out, so did Laura Dern. MGM sued Paramount who in turned settled for $500,000.

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Goofs

While Sam is swinging back in forth in the hospital window, the window alters from open to closed in various shots.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Randy Burch: So we're planning our next vacation, right? I want Australia, she wants Italy. I like snorkeling, she likes garlic. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, she says to me: Do I need her? Jesus, Benny. What kind of a question is that? I mean, "need?" What does it really mean to need someone?
Eric: Benny, fuel line!
[and the phone begins ringing]
Benny: Hey Waldo, could you answer that phone?
Waldo: Hello?
UPS Man: [walks in] I need a check, Benny. COD.
Benny: In a minute. Meet me in the office.
UPS Man: All right...
Benny: [...]

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Connections

References Lust for Life (1956)

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Soundtracks

HAVE A LITTLE FAITH IN ME
Written and Performed by John Hiatt
Courtesy of A&M Records, Inc.

User Reviews

from someone who's mentally ill...

I really identify with this movie, and with Joon. I myself am mentally ill (in fact, disabled by it). I don't think it matters that her mental illness is unspecified... so many mental illnesses overlap in real life, and often DO go unspecified even if the person is counselling.

I am mentally ill and (as birds of a feather flock together) know many people who are also mentally ill. As for it being representation of what it's really like to be or live with a mentally ill person, you can't really lump such an experience together. Mentally ill people vary just as much as "normal" people do.

Some of the details in this movie are great. They depicted Joon as a rounded character, a creative, sensitive, intelligent person. This is often the case with mentally ill people. I love the eccentricities of the characters. I think the details, writing, and everything about this movie are just wonderful. I've seen it many times.

Most people who I know who have seen this movie adore it. I think it's great.