TotalTelly.co.uk

Devoted to Popular, Cult and Retro TV

Benny And Joon [1993]


RRP: £12.99
Our Price: £3.69 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Longing for a romantic Hollywood film that will make your heart leap but not have you reaching for the sick bucket? Try Benny & Joon. Few mainstream US films manage to walk the thin line between emotion and schmaltz, but here is one film that pulls it off admirably. In the wrong hands the concept of marrying love and mental illness could have been a disaster but, as with the low-budget British film Some Voices, Benny & Joon manages to extract genuine humour and warmth from the subject. As the brother and sister of the title, the relationship between Aidan Quinn and Mary Stuart Masterson is central to the story, Benny desperately trying to keep home and job together while looking after the sick Joon. Their lives take an unexpected turn with the arrival of Sam, a brilliantly comic turn by Johnny Depp, as gradually the characters learn that the happiness that all thought beyond them is within their grasp. Depp adds yet another character to his liturgy of slightly odd outsiders but plays it with such panache, this time drawing heavily on Buster Keaton, that you cannot help but fall for him. Indeed, there is not a single character here that you would not wish well.

On the DVD: The usual scene selection and a very clear audio track, given the film's musical moments a huge boost. Few will probably be able to resist The Proclaimers' "(I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles" which opens the film. Excellent picture quality too. --Phil Udell


Lovely!
Review date: 2008-03-24 Rating: 8 out of 10

I recently purchased this DVD after reading the reviews on amazon! Im glaad i did! its such a lovely film and Johnny Depp is fab in it with his yet again eccentric character choice! its a romantic comedy, which i will watch over and over again! fab!

Similar Products

Reviews


Quick Reviews!
Review date: 2007-08-30 Rating: 8 out of 10

Depp continued his early nineties love of starring as offbeat characters, the type of characters that most actors would avoid taking on for fear of embarrassment or losing credibility. It may be true that very few actors have the ability to carry off such characters with skill, and make them believable and charming. Depp is the master of these roles, and in Benny and Joon he again proves his great talent and versatility. He may be the big name, and steals most of the scenes he is in, but the surrounding cast and story make it an enduring film of bittersweet romance and tries to prove that there is hope for all of us when it comes to love.

Benny and Joon were orphaned at a young age, and Benny has spent the greater part of his life looking after his mentally ill younger sister. Joon is slightly unbalanced and sometimes gets herself in trouble by burning things and causing 'public disturbances'. Benny works as a mechanic in a garage, has never been away from home or had a proper relationship as he feels he must always look after Joon. Recently Joon has been getting more unstable leading psychiatrists to advise that she be put in a home under care. Benny wants to live a normal life but cannot leave his sister. Joon is an incredibly smart and talented young woman but would never ask to be put in a home. On one of their regular poker nights Benny's friends play cards with Joon as Benny is late. The stakes are high- a week's washing, a troll toy etc. One friend puts his newly found cousin Sam in the pot, a 26 year old who can't read and spends his time watching movies and emulating Buster Keaton. Joon loses, and Benny has a new house guest. At first he seems odd, but as time goes on he proves to be a source of goodness in the household, and Joon falls for him. Sam also manages to get local waitress and B-Movie star Ruthie involved with Benny. However, when Benny finds out what has been going on between Sam and Joon he is furious, leading to Joon being committed. Benny realises his mistakes and asks Sam to help bring Joon back.

Above all this is a warm hearted tale with some good performances. Depp is superb when getting up to his supposedly unusual antics, Masterson manages well with an equally difficult role, and Quinn holds it together with his subtle performance of a character who must cope with the weirdness around him. Moore provides fine support as Ruthie, and there are a few funny moments. The film does not push for laughs or heart-felt tears and therefore is quietly charming and should hopefully leave most with a feeling of good-will afterwards. The director deals with mental illness as many before have, that it makes a person more lovable, and whether or not this is true it does not get in the way of the plot. Joon does not seem that different from everyone else, and Sam is a born entertainer, but a spontaneous one who should not be put on stage. It may be too slow and subtle for some, and it doesn't have the look or emotion of Edward Scissorhands, but it is nevertheless a fine movie and one which was destined to have a cult following.

The DVD only comes with a trailer, a making of and commentary would have also been nice, but at under a fiver it's a bargain.


Brilliant!
Review date: 2007-07-19 Rating: 10 out of 10

I stumbled across Benny and Joon by accident whilst browsing on amazon. I had actually never heard of the film but decided to buy it based on the positive reviews.
Really glad i bought it as i thought it was great! The acting is excellent by the whole cast and Sam (Depp) was Very funny.
Even my boyfriend who was very sceptical bout the film actually enjoyed it!
I think that the love story between Sam and Joon is heartwarming yet not too soppy and i loved the happy ending.

Definately worth a watch!


Simply Beautiful
Review date: 2006-10-29 Rating: 10 out of 10

My motto is "if Johnny Depp's in it, it's got to be worth a watch" and never is that more true than when speaking of Benny and Joon.
This film touched my heart and the hearts of those who I have shared it with. I love this film so much that Benny, Joon and Sam will forever be in my heart.

Mary Stuart Masterson is Joon, the "mentally ill" sister of Benny (Aidan Quinn). Their parents are unfortunatlely deceased and Benny has spent the majority of his life caring for Joon, never really having the time to make a life for himself. Cue Sam (beautifully played by Johnny Depp) who Joon "wins" when she loses in a game of poker... but never has there been a losing hand at poker that has had such an amazing impact on someones life.

Sam... the oddball (who has traces of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton about him) sees the world through innocent eyes is perfect for Joon, he sees past her condition and finds his way into her heart through his caring and quirky nature. This film takes you on the journey of a romance that is pure and unblinkered by what society expects of people... it's able to open your eyes and show you a twinkle of hope that love is still untainted and still able to sweep you off of your feet.

It's moving... heart wrenching even, but perfectly intwined with all the sweetness and innocence that a lot of movies of today lack. Benny and Joon never fails to put a smile on my face and I genuinely have fallen in love with the character Sam... he's amazing and perfect.

Fantastic Film!
Review date: 2006-08-04 Rating: 10 out of 10

I am in the process of purchasing all of Johnny Depps films and so had to get this one. When i first bought it i thought that it didnt sound all that special, but boy was i wrong!
This is a very touching, romantic and funny film and i enjoyed every second of it.
Mary Stuart Masterson who plays Joon and Aidan Quinn who plays Benny are both brilliant in this film. Before watching it i had never heard of either of them, but they are fantastic.
Johnny Depp is the shining role as usual and he portrays the mental state of his character Sam extremelly well.
I would recommened this film to anyone that likes something a bit different.....or if you just love Johnny Depp!

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Julianne Moore
Oliver Platt
Mary Stuart Masterson
Aidan Quinn
Johnny Depp

Creators:
Johnny Depp (Primary Contributor)
Mary Stuart Masterson (Primary Contributor)
John Schwartzman (Cinematographer)
Bill Badalato (Producer)
Donna Roth (Producer)
Lesley McNeil (Producer)
Lesley McNeil (Writer)
Susan Arnold (Producer)
Barry Berman (Writer)

Director(s):

Recording label: MGM Entertainment
Manufacturer: MGM Entertainment
EAN: 5050070001860
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2001-07-23
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 94 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1993-04-16
Language: Danish (Subtitled)
Language: Dutch (Subtitled)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: German (Subtitled)
Language: Italian (Subtitled)
Language: Norwegian (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Subtitled)
Language: Swedish (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: French (Dubbed)
Language: German (Dubbed)
Language: Italian (Dubbed)
Language: Spanish (Dubbed)

Add to Cart

© 2006 Darren Hester, DesignsByDarren.com, Some Rights Reserved.
Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional