The court system is known as one of the most sacred institutions in America. It is within the hallowed halls of the nation's court rooms that life and death and guilt and innocence hang in the balance. Who would have thought that these same halls would also be ripe for comedic potential? The 1992 film My Cousin Vinny combines the familiar elements of classic court room drama with fish-out-of-water comedy and then subverts both genres with hilarious results. Through its focus upon the inner workings of the law the film sends up the legal profession with a wit and charm that is certain to leave even the most hardened of litigators laughing. Nearly thirty years after its release My Cousin Vinny continues to make the case for its status as a comedy classic.
The story begins with two New York college students, Billy and Stan, taking a trip below the Mason Dixon line where they immediately realize that they are both fish out of water and completely over their heads. After inadvertently shoplifting in an Alabama convenience store the duo are arrested, not for theft but murder. Desperate to defend themselves against capital charges, the boys enlist the help of Billy's cousin, recent law school graduate Vinny. Wise guy Vinny soon arrives in Alabama armed with zero courtroom experience, a hair-trigger temper, and a tough talking fiancée. The film then follows his increasingly outrageous attempts to remain one step ahead of the defense in a case that places his career, his relationship, and his cousin's life on the line.
The film's original poster reads "There have been many courtroom dramas that glorify the Great American Legal System. This is not one of them", that tagline is correct, My Cousin Vinny, does not glorify the American legal system; it does something infinitely more interesting. Rather than following courtroom drama clichés the film instead chronicles the inner workings of one criminal case. As a result, the film lends viewers apt insight into the crucial, but less than exciting, aspects of legal work that Hollywood all too often leaves out. In this way the script pays homage to the men and women of the legal profession without glamorizing them and ensures that the film remains firmly within the realm of reality.
Even in the midst of so much legal drama the film successfully delivers one laugh after another. The film aptly utilizes its 'fish out of water' premise with culture and personality clashes that are played to maximum comedic effect. The film particularly succeeds by presenting seemingly stereotypical characters and then subverting those same stereotypes. For example scrappy and streetwise Vinny begins the case as arguably the most incompetent attorney to enter a courtroom only to eventually prove himself a formidable litigator. Similarly, Vinny's seemingly ditzy fiancée, Lisa, ultimately outwits attorneys for both the prosecution and defense. The film also succeeds through its ability to present viewers with outrageous characters with such affection and humanity that viewers will be hard pressed not to relate to and root for them. Through its winning combination of law and laughs My Cousin Vinny takes any semblance of order out of the court.
The film's colorful array of characters come to whimsical life thanks to the work of the expert cast. Ralph Macchio and Mitchell Whitfield convey a believable sense of camaraderie and make for a likeable duo as Billy and Stan. Lane Smith oozes smarmy charm as slick prosecutor Jim Trotter. Fred Gwynne infuses his role as Judge Chambers with a dignity and dry wit that ground much of the film's proceedings. Marisa Tomei steals each scene in which she appears, more than earning her Oscar win for her turn as Vinnie's equal parts smart and smart mouthed fiancée, Mona Lisa Vito. Even in the midst of expert comedic performances the film belongs to Joe Pesci who lends what is easily his most complex performance as larger than life underdog Vinny.
Plenty has changed since 1992, but My Cousin Vinny still garners just as many laughs as it did upon its initial release. The script's balance between the realistic and the ridiculous ensures that each punch line still packs a powerful punch. The cast brings the script to life with an expert comedic skill that many comedies could take a cue from today. The verdict is in, My Cousin Vinny is a comedy that is guaranteed to leave the defense, the prosecution, and everyone in between laughing out loud.
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