Benny and JoonBenny and Joon
Johnny Depp (Sleepy Hollow), Mary Stuart Masterson (Bed of Roses) and Aidan Quinn (Practical Magic) star in this wonderfully unique and delightfully offbeat romantic comedy. Joon (Masterson) is a little unbalanced. Sometimes, without warning, her sweet nature gives wayto odd behaviorincluding a penchant for setting fires! She lives with her older brother Benny (Quinn), who has spent his life taking care of her since their parents died. One night, while playing in a poker game with unusual stake
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(out of 179 reviews)
Review by Graciela Sholander for Benny and Joon
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I love this feel-good movie! It’s a special treat to watch Sam, Johnny Depp’s quirky, sweet and child-like character, who makes grilled cheese sandwiches with an iron and entertains at a park with his impressive Buster Keaton-like routines. He looks and acts like someone who walked in from another era, maybe even another planet. Watch Depp’s facial expressions — intense and hilarious! There are heavy moments, such as the bus scene: When the romance between Sam and Joon (Mary Stuart Masterson) is misunderstood, forcing the pair to run away, Sam comes face to face with the reality of mental illness as Joon becomes severely agitated with the voices in her head. But he never gives up on love, finding a way to get to Joon at the mental hospital by dangling acrobatically just outside her room from a window washer’s perch (my favorite scene). And yes, there’s a happy ending. I watched this movie with my husband and our children (ages 10 and 12). If you plan to watch Benny & Joon with kids, be aware that bad words are used a couple of times, and there’s a romantic scene between Sam and Joon that’s slightly steamy but not distasteful. Overall, though, the touching story, dialogue, and humor make this a fine movie to watch with kids over 9 years of age (younger kids would probably find it boring). Creative story with fun characters! Some of the almost surreal scenes will replay in your mind to make you smile and even laugh out loud.
Review by Lawyeraau for Benny and Joon
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This is a quirky romantic comedy about two people who, deemed as misfits by society, fall in love with each other. Featuring outstanding performances by the entire cast, this is a film that lets the viewer know that there is, indeed, someone for everyone. When eccentric Sam (Johnny Depp) enters the lives of a brother and sister, Benny (Aidan Quinn) and Joon (Mary Stuart Masterson), he changes their lives forever. Benny, it seems, is always worried about his sister who seems to be autistic. He treats her like a baby, making sure that she is never left alone. Highly intelligent, creative, and articulate, Joon, however, chafes a bit under the thumb of her protective older brother, but she does have some issues, as there are certain things that act as triggers for some odd behavior on her part.When Sam begins living with Benny and Joon, acting as a housekeeper-babysitter, Sam treats Joon like a regular person, and before you know it they are falling in love, each accepting the quirks of the other with complete equanimity. Meanwhile, Benny is attracted to Ruthie (Julianne Moore), who owns the local diner. The only thing is that he cannot seem to concentrate on romance, as he is so worried about what the future holds for his sister.There are some twists and turns in the romances between Sam and Joon, as well as in that of Benny and Ruthie. There are some very funny moments, as well as those filled with genuine pathos. There is also a certain amount of physical comedy reminiscent of that of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. In the hands of the adept Johnny Depp, it works.This is a film that will be enjoyed by those who love off-beat, beautifully acted films. Bravo!
Review by Valerie A. Gearon for Benny and Joon
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This is a story about stagnant sibling relationships. Benny (a mechanic) has structured his entire life around ‘protecting’ his mentally ill sister, Joon. Both are dissatisfied: she in particular has withdrawn from society and broader human interaction, and has an underdeveloped ability to care for herself. The ensuing frustration manifests itself in pyromania.
His need for control and her isolation are tearing their relationship apart, despite the very real and visible love they have for each other. Sam is a much-needed catalyst for change. I suspect that his appeal for Joon, who is immediately drawn to him, lies in the fact that he makes absolutely no assumptions about her on the basis of her condition.
It has been said that this movie is arguing that love conquers all, but I disagree. Romantic love is presented as a mechanism of change and renewal: but the real story lies in a brother’s struggle to overcome his own need to protect his sister from society, and in his blindness when it comes to her own requirements as an adult woman. The viewers and Sam himself are made to confront the very real facts of Joon’s illness when their attempt to abscond results in a highly traumatic episode.
Essentially, the movie is a humorous and emotional one. While not the most polished movie you’ll ever see, ‘Benny and Joon’ comes across as very sincere, and it isn’t afraid to tackle the tough issues. Johnny Depp is as lovely as always, and the film contains moments of incredible wit, warmth, and a quirky kind of humor in its portrait a mentally ill young woman who has absolutely normal needs when it comes to love, sex, and independence.
And it’s nicely gritty, too, and highly effective.
Review by David Bonesteel for Benny and Joon
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Benny (Aidan Quinn) is a mechanic who, since the death of their parents, has been the caretaker for his schizophrenic sister Joon (Mary Stewart Masterson), a job that has become increasingly difficult. They are obliged to take in the quirky Sam (Johnny Depp), and love blossoms between the two soulful oddballs.
For this movie to work, you have to love these relentlessly eccentric characters, and, unfortunately, I couldn’t love them enough. The horrendous pitfalls that go along with mental illness are shown just enough to provide some complications in the narrative, but the filmmakers clearly had their sights set on a happy ending right from the beginning, and they were going to let nothing get in the way. There are some egregious lapses in logic that are required to make this story go in the direction the filmmakers want. For example, there is serious debate about whether Joon would be better off living in a group home (where she would have constant supervision) or in her own apartment (where she would be mostly unsupervised, even though there would be a friend living in the same building). These choices are opposite ends of a spectrum, not roughly equivalent alternatives that a responsible mental health professional would present to a harried caretaker.
There are pleasures to be found here, mostly notably Johnny Depp’s extraordinary performance, but you have to be charmed into forgetting the real world first.
Review by courtney for Benny and Joon
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using the quriky proclaimers hit, benny and joon is an acomplishment that pulls johnny depp into one of the cutest, most huggably, and yet eerily believable roles he’s played. not just for johnny fans, this movie is truly a “romance with a twist” pulling together the impressive talents of multiple noted actors and actresses. this is the ultimate johnny depp movie, but for those who dont buy into the johnny rage, it provides a sweet evening of family entertainment while dealing with the touchy issues of social relationships, family problems, and mental instability in an origanal, touching, and comforting way that you will never forget.
with the quirky chaplin-esque stunts that depp pulls off in style, and the truly believable copncerned brother role of aiden quin, put together with the semi-insane character of Masterson, this movie has the talent to pull of what it tries to do- in style.
a must see for all ages.
i love his movie Edwards Scissorhands, i think it is one of Johnny Depp’s best performance aside from Pirates of the Caribbean.;”"
Johnny Depp is a handsome actor and he is great in acting too. this guy has really the talent to do great movies.`;;