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The story centred on Juniper Pearl (Mary Stuart Masterson), Joon for short, a smart and talented, but emotionally unbalanced young girl, who is cared for by her irrepressible, seemingly unselfish car repairing brother, Benjamin (Adam Quinn), or Benny, ever since their parents had died in ... Read review
Longing for a romantic Hollywood film that will make your heart leap but not have you ... more
reaching for the sick bucket? TryBenny&Joon. Few mainstream US films manage to walk the thin line between emotion and schmaltz, but here is one film that pulls it off...
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Longing for a romantic Hollywood film that will make your heart leap but not have you ... more
reaching for the sick bucket? TryBenny&Joon. Few mainstream US films manage to walk the thin line between emotion and schmaltz, but here is one film that pulls it off...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Johnny Depp Mary Stuart Masterson and Aidan Quinn star in this wonderfully unique and ... more
delightfully offbeat romantic comedy. Joon (Masterson) is a little unbalanced. Sometimes without warning her sweet nature gives way to odd behaviour including a...
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Johnny Depp (Sleepy Hollow), Mary Stuart Masterson (Bed Of Roses) and Aidan Quinn ... more
(Practical Magic) star in this wonderfully unique and delightfully offbeat romantic comedy. Joon (Masterson) is a little unbalanced. Sometimes, without warning, her sweet...
Longing for a romantic Hollywood film that will make your heart leap but not have you ... more
reaching for the sick bucket? TryBenny&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 filmSome Voices,Benny&Joonmanages 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
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Movie, music and celebrity posters are perfect for fans looking for a memento of their ... more
favourite film, film star, music icon or celebrity. High quality photography that you can be proud to display in your home cinema/theatre, living room on your office desk or around the home.
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Movie, music and celebrity photographs are perfect for fans looking for a memento of their ... more
favourite film, film star, music icon or celebrity. High quality photography that you can be proud to display in your home cinema/theatre, living room on your office desk or around the home.
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An oddball love story about a fey loner named Sam (Johnny Depp), who falls in love with ... more
the mentally unbalanced Joon (Mary Stuart Masterson), who lives in the care of her protective brother Benny (Aidan Quinn). This 1993 story is hard to swallow, with its message that love can conquer a brand of mental illness that manifests itself in pyromania: Joon has a bad habit of going a bit around the bend and setting fires, but Sam's tender care apparently has the cure for what ails her. Still, if you want proof that Depp has significant chops as a physical comedian, give this film a try: He does note-perfect renditions of slapstick routines made famous by Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. --Marshall Fine, Amazon.com
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Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Production Year: 2004 - Comedy - Director: John Hay - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jimi Mistry, Kate Miles, Dougray Scott
Comedy - Director: Gareth Carrivick - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Kathryn Drysdale, Sheridan Smith, Natalie Casey, Will Mellor, Ralf Little
Advantages: A sensitive, humorous film for all the family to watch Disadvantages: None
...her housekeepers into retirement as Benny works his car clinic, plays poker with his friends for bizarre stakes including spare parts and gives up any hope of a serious relationship because he has no idea of how Joon is going to fit in.
The natural order and occasionally cliched creakiness of this life is suddenly shattered however, when at a poker game, Joon loses her hand and wins her opponent's cousin Sam (Johnny Depp), a beguiling ... .../>
~~~~~~
Benny and Joon is based on a screenplay by Barry Berman and Leslie McNeil. Berman was suitably qualified to pen the story as he had been a graduate of Ringing Brothers and Barnum & Bailey's highly competitive college in Florida. He had earned his apprenticeship in the world-renowned circus, and had loved watching Buster Keaton's and Charlie Chaplin's silent comedy classics in between performances under the big top. More ... more
Warsaw. Minus 7. Full scale blizzard blowing outside - didn't even think about venturing out. We had hoped to watch the advertised TV series, 'Kingdom', on Polski TV but as is often the case, the schedule had been changed and the alternatives were dire. So I came to the conclusion that it must be Johnny time and time to watch one of my precious unseen Johnny Depp films that my son had bought me for Xmas. STRESS! I thought the DVD was going to jam as a disturbing buzzing noise eminated from the DVD player. We turned up the volume and let The Proclaimers rowdily lead us into the film.........
The story centred on Juniper Pearl (Mary Stuart Masterson), Joon for short, a smart and talented, but emotionally unbalanced young girl, who is cared for by her irrepressible, seemingly unselfish car repairing brother, Benjamin (Adam Quinn), or Benny, ever since their parents had died in a fatal car accident. Joon paints and reads, has a passion for fire and nudging her housekeepers into retirement as Benny works his car clinic, plays poker with his friends for bizarre stakes including spare parts and gives up any hope of a serious relationship because he has no idea of how Joon is going to fit in.
The natural order and occasionally cliched creakiness of this life is suddenly shattered however, when at a poker game, Joon loses her hand and wins her opponent's cousin Sam (Johnny Depp), a beguiling and whimsical misfit, who at 26 can't read, spends all day polishing plastic forks and sometimes sits in a tree, stays up all night watching old movies on TV and when he does sleep, it's under the sink.
He, of course, charms his way into Joon's heart with his silent comedy capers, does the housework and listens to the rock music blasting from the radio even when it incurs Joon's wrath. That's enough for Joon to throw him out, as she puts it,' for cleaning the house. Naturally, he returns with Benny's blessing and Sam's promise to look out for his sister.....
Summary ~~~~~~
Benny and Joon is based on a screenplay by Barry Berman and Leslie McNeil. Berman was suitably qualified to pen the story as he had been a graduate of Ringing Brothers and Barnum & Bailey's highly competitive college in Florida. He had earned his apprenticeship in the world-renowned circus, and had loved watching Buster Keaton's and Charlie Chaplin's silent comedy classics in between performances under the big top. More importantly, it was what influenced him to create the character Sam for Benny and Joon.
The screenplay came to the attention of Susan Arnold, the producer, who had previously worked with Imagination Workshop, a Californian-based arts programme that worked with underpriviliged and disenfranchised people as well as with psychiatric patients. Obviously her experience with the workshop must have peaked her desire to make a movie about someone who had a little harder time in life than most of us. It is one of the themes that lies at the heart of the movie. Or you are led to believe so.
I suppose some viewers might view Johnny's role as Sam as a 'clowning minder' to a mentally ill girl but that's not how I see it. Joon is disturbed but I would say more traumatised than mentally ill. Sam is a misfit and wants to understand her strange feelings amd emotions. As well as having his own problems of trying to fit into society he genuinely wants to try and understand Joon's behavioural problems. The film is shows us how two people who are outcasts in different ways learn to live together and get on.
Cast ~~~~
The role of Sam looks like it has been taken out of a Buster Keaton comedy. Depp is very emotionally expressive, doing what seems to be so little but yet so effective. He is also physically involved with the character. He was coached for the role by an on-set mime artist, magician and silent film buff, Dan Kamin, who was recruited to coach and choreograph the comedy routines of the screen legends that were all part and parcel of Sam's character. I loved the slapstick part of the movie. I know I always praise Depp for his craft but he is one of the best and seems to be able to turn his hand to anything. The role is played in a delightful way. He tenderly reinforces the role of eccentric outsider which has become his province. He is curiously serious - and not so much simple minded and innocent as in Edward Scissorhands but just as naturally charming. This very young, tousled haired and baggy trosered Johnny Depp will steal your hearts.
Adam Quinn was the director's final choice as the protective, straight-laced brother. He is an actor I am not familiar with but I can't imagine anyone else playing the role of Benny as well. He carries the whole world on his shoulders and his character is very much a straight man. He becomes so obsessed with looking after his sister that eventually he becomes afraid to actually confront any relationships of his own. She becomes his crutch to lean on and the roles are reversed.
Mary Stuart Masterson, of Fried Green Tomatoes fame, played the part of Joon and she was exceptional. The way she played the character whose confidence was shaken by the confusion she lived in every day was very believable. Her eyes were everywhere and I love the scene where she is in the passenger seat of the car, wearing her crash helmet, and as they are slowly driving through the town she comes across a chaplinesque figure standing in a tree. She slowly lifts her head and both their eyes meet. You are not sure whether she is horrified, amused or bemused. She also excels in throwing a tantrum and having fits of hysteria. I was very impressed with her acting.
The supporting cast are very good, especially Julianne Moore as the waitress, Ruthie, Benny's would be love interest and the guys who are Benny's poker pals are a good bunch of ginky guys who like a laugh and a joke but at the ame time want Benny to live his own life.
Cinematography ~~~~~~~~~~~~
Although there is nothing outstanding to speak of, the photography is good in the way it captures the lights and shades of the sleepy town. There are some colourful shots of the train at the beginning of the film which illustrates the beauty and diversity of the country. The interior shots of the house are very much in the vein of Edward Hopper (the artist) and this is something I think the Americans do very well. They really know how to create the ambience of a living space with angle shots and soft, sultry hues of colour. I fell in love with the ramshackle house straight away and I do love those big turquoise American fridges. I also liked the fact that for most of the time there was a quiet, calmness about the film which is what I would imagine those towns in the far north west of America to feel like.
Things to Look Out For ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Revolutionary ways to tackle housekeeping and an inventive way to make toasties!*
Favourite Lines ~~~~~~~~~~
This is something I don't generally include in my reviews but there are lots of good lines in this film so here are my two favourites;
Joon - You are out of your tree.
Sam - It's not my tree!
Sam (sat fully clothed in the bath) - How sick is she?
Benny - She's plenty sick. Now, listen to me, I've been doin' some thinkin' -
Sam - Because, you know, it seems to me that, I mean, except for being a litle mentally ill, she's pretty normal
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106387/quotes
Soundtrack ~~~~~~~
This is something else I usually don't mention but I really liked some of the songs in this film. The opening track is sung by The Proclaimers - those two bespectacled, guitar thrashing, oatcakes from Bonnie Scotland. I can't say I ever was a fan of this pair of ginks but the song, 'I'm Gonna Be (500 miles)', actually works as the opening number. The other two tracks , 'Have a Little Faith in Me', by John Hiatt is a cool number and fits in well with the scene although when I heard the track I was convinced it was Van Morrisson, and my favourite is the very last track where we have good old Joe Cocker belting out his gravel as he sings 'Can't Find My Way Home.'
I always think that when you end up singing songs from a film a couple of days after viewing, it is a good sign of an impressive soundtrack.
Final Word ~~~~~~~~
This film was never going to be a box office hit even with Depp as the star. Although in retrospect I am not sure if he was the star. I think all the three main characters are exceptional and really gel together. It is a good old fashioned type of film where there are a lot of laughs as well as sadness and beauty. Basically, it is a sensitive, love story on two levels, firstly, a romance between two oddities who meet and fall in love but also about a brother and sister with an over-dependant relationship learning to have the courage to live their own lives without losing what they already have. There are circumstances that are universal in the story, such as learning how much you can love someone and still allow them to be free. Benny and Joon is a delightful movie; a fable that will touch your heart.
How can I not recommend it?!
Summary: A fable that will touch your heart
* This review has been posted on other sites under the name of Praskipark*
Advantages: Very funny, warm and cheerful entertainment, PLUS you get Johnny Depp! Disadvantages: Finishes too quick!
...case, here I go!
Benny and Joon originally made in 1993 is one of my favourite films. I bought it on DVD on E Bay for£5.65, when I was looking for more Johnny Depp matter to watch! It is a romantic comedy with a good storyline, some excellent one-liners, and some very memorable slapstick/comedy routines, set to very inspiring music. Cast of Main Actors
Johnny Depp ………….... Sam
Mary Stuart Masterson .... Juniper 'Joon' Pearl
Aidan Quinn………….... ... ...for the last 12 years. Benny works as a motor mechanic, whilst he tries to find housekeepers to keep any eye on his sister, so that he doesn't have to "Farm her out" to a Group Home, as suggested by the Psychiatric Evaluation team. Benny has no social life to speak of, apart from the odd game of poker with his workmates, which he can take Joon along for.
Juniper 'Joon' Pearl - Younger sister of Benny, suffering from mental health 'Episodes' when ...
little_red_hen 13.04.2006 (21.04.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Benny And Joon (DVD)
Advantages: Cast, script, surreality, music, humour, pretty much everything really. Disadvantages: Nothing I can think of, except not really for younger children.
Benny & Joon is a very sweet romantic comedy starring not only the brilliant and famous Johnny Depp but also the supremely talented though far less well-known actress Mary Stuart Masterson. Add in Aidan Quinn and Juliette Moore, throw in William H Macey and Oliver Platt for good measure, and you have a cast well able to handle a surprising but excellent script that results in one of the most pleasing films ever made. (Advance warning - this was written ... ...via a line break.)
Benny (Quinn) is havng a bit of a mid-life crisis. His sister Joon (Masterson) is afflicted by some kind of mental problem and his whole life is basically devoted to caring for her. (Both of there parents are dead.) He's supposed to be finding out about a Care Home for her to go to but won't let go. It's not having a good effect on his life. " Ruthie: Be serious. Benny: I am. Ruthie: Really? Benny: I'm always serious. I'm too ...
CaptainDisaster 06.10.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Benny And Joon (DVD)
Advantages: Heartwarming, Johnny Depp ;o) Disadvantages: Ruin your iron experimenting!
Benny has been looking after his mentally handicapped sister, Joon, since their parents died when they were young. She is an intelligent, talented woman, who just isn’t all there.
When Joon becomes involved in Benny’s weekly poker night, betting goes awry, and she ends up losing the bets – not money is lost though… she has agreed that should she lose, they will take home another player’s cousin.
Sam (Depp) is an innocent soul (if not too bright) ... ...the world around them. Benny isn’t happy though. Joon’s illness has gradually been getting harder for him to handle alone, and he is torn between doing what is right for his sister, and what is right for his own life – and he is sure that Sam is not right for either of them!
Watch with delight as a beautiful love story unfolds for both Benny and Joon. It is a story of an innocent love, a complicated love, and the unbreakable love of a brother and ...
flamesparrow 27.07.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Benny And Joon (DVD)
Advantages: Funny and sweet. Disadvantages: not very well known.
...look after and protect her.
Benny (Johnny Depp)(For reasons I can no longer remember) manages to get himself into their house and working as her guardian while the brother is at work. Benny is eccentric, spending much of his time acting out the strange acts of Charlie chaplain - which makes for some classically funy moments. He's a socail misfit as well, but his ability to make Joon laugh cerates a bond between them that gradually turns into love. ... ...but as abuse, and removes him. Joon goes into a decline and ends up in a mental institution, but there is a dramatic and insane rscue to hand, and you can tell from the start that this film will end well.
This is much more like a British film than an American one - largely subtle, with gentle humour and some intelligence. It's a very sweet story that has some darker and more serious moments. Fans of Johnny Depp will love it - his dazed, amusing ...
Bryn_Pearson 11.07.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Benny And Joon (DVD)
Advantages: A fantasic story, excellently acted. Disadvantages: None.
...He is happy enough when Benny and Joon are just good friends, but when their relationship grows he finds it hard to deal with. This is a story of love, heartbreak, the boundaries of the family unit and the difficulties and stereotyping faced by those of an "inferior" mental ability. This beautiful film has touched me more than many big-budget Hollywood flicks since. ...
miss-swiss 18.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Benny And Joon (DVD)
A young, intelligent, but unbalanced woman is looked after by her brother, that is until she meets Sam.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
MGM ENTERTAINMENT; CINRAM LOGISTICS
Release date
23/07/2001
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
15783 DVD
Barcode
5050070001860
Languages
Main Language
English
Dubbed Language
French, German, Italian, Spanish
Subtitle Language
Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish
Hearing Impaired Language
English, German
Technical information
Special Features
Original Theatrical Trailer, Interactive Menu Screens, Chapter Selections
Aspect Ratio
1.85 Wide Screen, 16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital Surround
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital Surround English French German Italian Spanish
DVD Description
Joon (Mary Stuart Masterson), a mentally disturbed young woman, lives with her older (and over-protective) brother, Benny (Aidan Quinn). He puts up with the untenable situation because of his love for her and his dislike of institutions. Just when their relationship reaches a point where things have to change, the soft-spoken, silent film-obsessed Sam (Johnny Depp) enters their lives and slowly begins a romance with the fragile Joon. His love proves to be just the therapy she needs--and it finally gives the reclusive Benny, who hasn't even been able to commit to a second date, the chance to start a romance of his own.
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