33 Years Later, ‘My Cousin Vinny’ Is Still My Favorite Feel-Good Movie
They just don’t make movies like that anymore. Young Joe Pesci and one and only Marisa Tomei turned this movie into a gem I still rewatch with pleasure.
Some movies age like wine and are getting better with each rewatch, while others feel dated even if you watch them again only a year after release.
Then there are movies like Jonathan Lynn’s My Cousin Vinny… A movie that somehow manages to feel both timeless and perfectly of its moment. My ultimate choice when I need a good laugh.
What Is ‘My Cousin Vinny’ About?
Released in 1992, it is a courtroom comedy that frankly shouldn't work as well as it does. The premise is almost absurdly simple: two college students get wrongly accused of murder in Alabama, while actually being thieves, and their only hope is Vinny Gambini, Ralph Maccio’s Billy Gambini’s cousin, who is a so-called Brooklyn lawyer who's never actually even had a case.
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As Vinny comes to the rescue, he brings his girlfriend, Mona Lisa Vito, played brilliantly by Marisa Tomei. The two of them together bring out some sort of energy that turns into pure cinematic gold, bringing out the best comic talent they have.
Tomei’s courtroom scene where she schools the prosecutor on tire marks and automotive mechanics remains one of cinema's most satisfying "gotcha" moments. And definitely a scene I always rewatch when an occasional Instagram reel comes my way. Needless to say, Tomei even won an Oscar for her role!
Why Does ‘My Cousin Vinny’ Still Work?
Joe Pesci's Vinny is an edgy character, but he is never unlikable. Watching him navigate all the rules of the Southern legal system while maintaining his Brooklyn charm is absolutely entertaining. And his relationship with Mona Lisa is definitely the film's emotional anchor. While they argue like an old married couple, their love story still feels authentic.
What makes My Cousin Vinny my go-to comfort film is its fundamental optimism all the characters have in this movie. And that's something we all have to learn how to carry with us.
Where to Stream ‘My Cousin Vinny’?
My Cousin Vinny is available to stream on Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video.
