Today’s quick review: My Cousin Vinny. When Bill Gambini (Ralph Macchio) and Stan Rothenstein (Mitchell Whitfield), a pair of youths, are arrested in Alabama, Bill calls in his cousin Vincent “Vinny” Gambini (Joe Pesci), an amateur lawyer from New York, to represent them in court. Together with his fiance Lisa (Marisa Tomei), Vinny argues the boys’ case in front of a strict judge (Fred Gwynne) to keep the boys out of prison.
My Cousin Vinny is a legal comedy with a strong cast and an entertaining script. One part culture clash, one part character comedy, My Cousin Vinny sees an argumentative and thoroughly underqualified Brooklyn lawyer travel to the South to defend his cousin. The script has a knack for setting up funny situations, while the case has just enough substance to make its resolution satisfying.
Where My Cousin Vinny excels is in its arguments. Joe Pesci is one of the all-time greats at vituperation, and the role of Vincent Gambini gives him plenty of room to show off. Pesci’s performance is matched by Marisa Tomei, who plays Vinny’s bullheaded fiance. Their fights over nothing scratch a very particular itch, a satisfying cocktail of pedantry, low stakes, and absolute certainty.
Watch My Cousin Vinny when you are in the mood for a light, loudmouthed, and well-executed comedy. The constant bickering will rub some viewers the wrong way, but the gags are funny enough and the arguments light enough that most viewers won’t mind. Skip it if you are looking for slapstick, wordplay, or some other flavor of comedy.
7.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for good laughs and strong performances.