My Cousin Vinny (1992)

We saved the best for last.

Well, at least the funniest! Two teenage boys from New York are traveling down south when a series of coincidences lands them in jail charged with first degree murder. They can't afford the $50K for an attorney so they call the lawyer cousin of one of the boys. Vinny is a stereotypical New Yorker who is initially a complete disaster, but can he get them off the hook ?

Behind the humor is actually a very procedurally intense storyline. At every turn Vinny trips over himself because he does not understand what procedure is, much less which specific procedures apply to this case. The British director of this movie actually hired three attorneys to ensure that the movie was accurate to the American judicial process.

Warning: This movie has a lot of strong language. If you are offended by this you may want to watch a version on television, if possible. Then again, if you are offended by strong language you may not want to work in a law firm. Unfortunately many, if not most, law firms use strong language frequently!

What to do
Get some popcorn, rent the video, and watch the movie. Consider the themes and questions presented below. Even if you have seen it before, watch it again from the viewpoint of a paralegal-to-be.

Major Themes
Prosecution; procedure; evidence; interviewing; examination

Relevant to this Segment

1. There is a scene in a hotel room between Vinny and his fiance, Mona Lisa - played by Marisa Tomei (who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for this role). Vinny just comes back from a hunting trip with the prosecutor and is proud to have "bonded" with him so well that he gave Vinny his files on the case. Vinny is convinced that his charm saved the day. Mona Lisa, who has been browsing through the Rules of Court in Vinny's absence, sets him straight. "He has to give you his files, you moron. It's called disclosure!" Vinny looks befuddled. Is this just Hollywood, or is it possible that attorneys just out of law school are really that clueless?
   
2. The critical scene occurs when a reluctant Mona Lisa is forced to testify using her general automotive experience. (She used to be a mechanic in her father's garage.) Before Vinny can begin his examination, the prosecutor objects and asks to "voir dire this witness." He then does so. Why is this a mistake, and what could the prosecutor have done to avoid it?
   
   
3. Fun Fact: There is actually an error in the storyline. A set a circumstances that don't add up. It has nothing to do with the law. Can you spot it? Hint: it is in the last 10 minutes of the movie.

Alternate Film

• Runaway Jury (2003). Another Grisham thriller with John Cusack, Rachel Weisz, Gene Hackman, and Dustin Hoffman.

Additional comments will be provided at the end of this Segment.