Rating: 
Summary: Snorkel
Review: Benny and Joon are Brother and sister, and have been inseperable since the death of their parent's. Joon is riddled with a mental disease that jumps and attacks her at the most inopportune times, otherwise it only tampers with her logic. Joon is more intelligent than anyone believes, it's just in her own way. Mary Stuart Masterson (Friend Green Tomatoes) plays Joon to the core, especially in a scene on a bus when her sickness overcomes her. At the same time she is able to show her romantic side, when she meet's the incredible character, Sam. When Johnny Depp is at the end of his career (God forbid any time soon) he will definately be able look back and see a light. That light is Sam. With a mix of slapstick, and quotes from cheap flick's, Sam makes his way into Joon's heart. I agree with a friend and fellow reviewer of mine that the poker game was not quite delivered right. A sour play of poker, in Joon's hand's, causes her and her brother to win Sam in the pot. (Joon put's a green haired troll doll in the kitty, and her apponent put's in Sam, his cousin.) Benny is Joon's brother and guardian. Between no love life, and Joon scaring away her sitter's, he has a stressful time keeping sane himself. But with the tragedy comes release when Sam enter's their lives. What follows the (did-not-handle-with-care) card game is the real flesh of the movie. One of the best modern romances is captured here, and more interesting, it's believable. No moping or sappy stuff found in cheapened love films, but true and heartfelt love that is real and tender. Even though the screenplay is terrific I personally think that the title is misleading. It's really about Joon and Sam. But, I understand that switching character names in a writer's mind is hard, and it is true that the starting backbone is Joon and Benny. Then again, who cares about the title. There are great film's that have titles that don't relate at all: Magnolia, anyone? See and enjoy. It truly is one of the best romances. Equally it's one of the best comedy/drama's.
Rating: 
Summary: Whimsical Romantic Comedy
Review: This movie was filmed in my hometown in Washington state. I got to see part of it being filmed. The diner in the film, where Julianne Moore works, is my brother in law's. So, needless to say, this interesting film hits close to our hearts. In the film, Johnny Depp stars as an eccentric character who goes to live with Benny(Aidan Quinn), and his mentally unstable sister Joon(Mary Stuart Masterson). You see, Benny lost a poker game and had to take Sam(Depp)in. That part is a little hokey. The two eccentric characters of Sam and Joon click and start a secretive relationship. They don't want big brother Benny to find out. There are a few delightful moments of whimsical silliness that makes this movie quite charming. Depp showcases his brilliant talent for physical comedy. His Buster Keaton routine is priceless. His Chaplin shtick in the diner is a classic. By the way, the jukebox in the diner was a prop. It's not ours. Masterson is quite effective as Joon. They are both very believeable. Aidan Quinn is solid as the overprotective brother Benny. A good performance. Dan Hedaya and CCH Pounder also star. The movie was directed by Jeremiah Chechick, who also did "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation". This is a sweet little movie with a sweet little story. Might want to check it out.
Rating: 
Summary: romance and the mentally ill
Review: This is a wonderful movie which will delight all movie lovers. I have NEVER met anyone who doesn't love this movie. Rent it then buy it.
Rating:
Summary: I Would Go 5,000 Miles
Review: Almost, but maybe not quite that far to see this beautiful, quirky movie. It's Johnny Depp's showcase as the soulful Sam with strong support from Mary Stuart Masterson (Joon-short for Juniper) and Aiden Quinn (Benny). Sam can barely read or write, but is a savant in the cinematic area, so much so, he doesn't just imitate Buster Keaton, he miraculously becomes Keaton. The photography is stunning, capturing the perfect town, the perfect park and even a perfect hospital. An added bonus is the sublime soundtrack featuring the Proclaimers "I'm Gonna Be (5,000 Miles)," Sam's beguiling song. Before Sam ambled into their lives, Benny was an over-worked, over-protective brother who gave his entire life to hovering over his disturbed younger sister. Joon precariously threads her way between "somewhat strange" and outright nuts. She is smothered, but not strong enough to struggle through the cobwebs. Sam is the catalyst for both of them. He falls in love with Joon and implacably, but innocently sets her free. Sam has a certain ferocious clarity in his view of the world that allows Joon to follow. The hilarious exchange between Benny and Sam is the heart of the movie: Sam: How sick is she? Benny: Oh she's plenty sick. Sam: Oh, because you know, it seems to me that, aside from being a little mentally ill, she's pretty normal. You will enjoy Benny & Joon on many levels. It will make you smile and laugh out loud, you will be touched in spite of yourself, and definitely feel better for the experience.
Rating:
Summary: Cuddly. Aw.
Review: I'm not a big fan of romantic comedies but the performances here and the unremitting quirkiness of the whole venture make this genuinely warm, and genuinely funny. Depp is great as the moony-eyed Buster Keaton obsessed outsider who arrives in Mary Stuart Masterson's life to cause havoc, via a card game. Aidan Quinn wins him. And then can't get rid of him. Benny (Depp) seems like a harmless enough guy, (although he's also clearly insane.) so Quinn gets used to having him around. But when it becomes clear that Joon, (Stuart Masterson), his disturbed sister, is in love with Benny, Quinn's patience snaps. We have a clash of ideologies and a lot of growing to do all round. Very funny - see Benny make toast... using an iron!... - Benny & Joon is also very sweet and cuddly, but not without its depths. You can do a lot worse.
Rating:
Summary: A funny little movie with its heart in the right place!
Review: I honestly thought that this movie, i.e., Benny & Joon VHS~ Johnny Depp, would be a total chick-flick (a movie that is high on melodramatic scenes and very little "real" content other then love). However, to my surprise it is not really about love. It is a movie about individualism and how Benny needs to understand that Joon can make her own decisions despite the fact that she is "mentally ill". Johnny Depp is wonderful in his wacky portrayal of the weirdo, i.e., Sam; and he, i.e., Mr. Depp has an uncanny ability to become the role that he is playing, he becomes Sam and the characterization is therefore very believable (very few actors have this ability). So, watch this movie, i.e., Benny & Joon VHS~ Johnny Depp, since it is both entertaining and smart ; and this in itself is quite rare.
Rating:
Summary: Kooky Love
Review: It's been a while since I've seen this one, but I thought it was so endearing. The romance between the Charlie Chaplin wanna-be and the vulnerable young woman is very sweet. They are both undeniably cute, and the whole concept harks back to the innocence that we see so little of in films these days. The movie is not at all overstated, being more of a lovably quirky film. Johnny Depp is fantastic. I recommend this movie to viewers who like their romance with a difference - and that good old-fashioned touch.
Rating:
Summary: Compassionate and interesting
Review: Although I do not know anybody like the people in this movie, I was impressed with how humanely the mentally challenged were treated. The idea that they can (let alone have a right to)find romance is still problematic in many sectors of society. Although both Joon (Mary Stuart Mastersion) and Sam (Johnny Depp) are slightly atypical, they are very talented people in their own way. Their main problems stem from a society that does not understand their artistic and free spirited tendencies. Benny (Aidian Quinn) really tries to be a good brother,but he wants to overprotect Joon and does not realize that she is more capable of functioning than he presumes her to be. Although he has her best interests at heart, she is his last family member and feels obligated to protect her, but later realizes that his overreacting is part of the problem. This behavior is not atypical among parents and family with another member who has any kind of disability, so it is both inspiring and courageous for a major motion picture to show in a non-doccumentary way that independent living can be much more beneficial than they previously thought. Sam and Joon end up the perfect couple, and Benny starts to relax and get a life of his own. The movie is both charming and (capitalizing with the entertainment world's facination with the Pacific Northwest and the "grunge" life)beatiful. Unlike so many movies today, the romance and intimacy scenes are both romantic, obvious and tasteful.The soundtrack is also compatable with a variety of tastes and interests
Rating:
Summary: The best movie
Review: When you have a member of your family with autistic spectrum disorder or Asperger Syndrome all about this movie makes sense. I have seen my son in both Depp and Masterson. Sam and Joon are like some high functioning autistics and I saw my son in their behavior. I really recommend this movie to all of you who have special child among you.
Rating:
Summary: A tale for heart and mind
Review: A tale for heart and mind »Benny & Joon« is a movie about a car mechanic who lives with his mentally ill sister. Well, she's not THAT ill - but ill enough that Benny has to take care of her, and this even at the cost of not developing a life on his own. One day, a weirdo - played brilliantly by annoyingly good-looking Johnny Depp - comes to town. This is the start of changes in the life of Joon. And of Benny. This unusual movie has all a good movie needs. It is an interesting, moving and also entertaining story, told in a heartfelt way without being too sentimental. And fortunately it lacks the major drawbacks of Hollywood movie clichés!
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