If you need to refresh your recollection, scan through this list of great quotes from My Cousin Vinny (which I think helps my case in favor of the film):
I try cases regularly and this is the most accurate legal movie I've seen. When Judge Haller says "That is a lucid, intelligent, well thought-out objection. Overruled," SAME thing happened to me. Judge explained to the jury I was right then overruled. Verdict: CLASSIC
Ha--as Ms. Vito would put it, "[Zach] is wrong!" Not only is MCV a classic of legal cinema, it is probably one of the best movies of all time of any type. If MCV is on TV, I'm watching it. Again and again and again and again. [clap] "I-dentical."
Great film which I put on a par with the Australian movie, The Castle. Which part of the constitution are you referring to, counsel? It's the vibe of the constitution your honour...."
It's a funny movie, and I understand why some of the courtroom scenes are useful for lessons (although one hopes not used verbatim in trials). And of course Marisa Tomei is outstanding. But I have three quibbles with anointing it as the ultimate legal movie. First, Vinny violates a primary legal ethics rule by taking a case he's probably not qualified to handle. A capital case for someone who's apparently never even tried a felony?! And in a state where he's not even licensed?! Yes, it worked out in the end, but I never hear anyone bring up the duty of competence when discussing this movie. Second, Vinny commits an even more unforgivable ethical violation by lying to the judge about his very identity multiple times (and precisely in order to avoid being discovered as unqualified, to boot). Finally, the movie unfairly maligns public defenders as incompetent (and it's icky that the person with the stammer is depicted as incompetent, also, which is an unfair -- even if unintentional -- association).
That "My Cousin Vinny" is still so watchable and enjoyable is a real testament to how its many good qualities overcome these negatives. But I think someone could easily use the movie to teach a "What Not To Do" CLE as well.
You win David! This movie is so good that I allowed my youngest to see it way before she should have been hearing all the curse words. It is also so good that I can overlook that it fails the Bechdel test. (Since so many fail this, I overlook this a lot!)
I really enjoyed My Cousin Vinnie. I, have to say though, David, if you were really the #lawnerd you claim to be you'd be talking about Body Heat. While I am not a Kathleen Turner fan, a better movie has never been made about the rule against perpetuities, and THAT is a truly difficult cinematic feat.
Though Vinny does more detective work than true depositioning (once he learns about discovery/disclosure from his fiancée), I think what I took to be most true from the movie is that you don’t learn how to practice in law school! Plus, Pesci is from NJ so now that you’re one of us, David, I’m glad you’re on the right side of the argument as per usual😀
One of the funniest movies of all time. And it's not popular because clips are used in CLEs. The movie is hugely popular among non-lawyers. Vinnie and Lisa are as funny as Ricky and Lucy.
If you need to refresh your recollection, scan through this list of great quotes from My Cousin Vinny (which I think helps my case in favor of the film):
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104952/quotes/qt0404553
My favorite is "So I wore this ridiculous thing... for you!" Priceless delivery!
"Yeah, everything that guy just said is bull****." It's a classic, if not a GOAT.
I try cases regularly and this is the most accurate legal movie I've seen. When Judge Haller says "That is a lucid, intelligent, well thought-out objection. Overruled," SAME thing happened to me. Judge explained to the jury I was right then overruled. Verdict: CLASSIC
Ditto!
Not to mention Fred Gwynne (a Yale drama grad), freed from the Herman Munster make-up.
This is not even a question. Classic of legal cinema. Obviously. Motion to strike granted.
CLASSIC OF LEGAL CINEMA
Ha--as Ms. Vito would put it, "[Zach] is wrong!" Not only is MCV a classic of legal cinema, it is probably one of the best movies of all time of any type. If MCV is on TV, I'm watching it. Again and again and again and again. [clap] "I-dentical."
Great film which I put on a par with the Australian movie, The Castle. Which part of the constitution are you referring to, counsel? It's the vibe of the constitution your honour...."
I think that reasoning still flies in the Ninth Circuit!
It's a funny movie, and I understand why some of the courtroom scenes are useful for lessons (although one hopes not used verbatim in trials). And of course Marisa Tomei is outstanding. But I have three quibbles with anointing it as the ultimate legal movie. First, Vinny violates a primary legal ethics rule by taking a case he's probably not qualified to handle. A capital case for someone who's apparently never even tried a felony?! And in a state where he's not even licensed?! Yes, it worked out in the end, but I never hear anyone bring up the duty of competence when discussing this movie. Second, Vinny commits an even more unforgivable ethical violation by lying to the judge about his very identity multiple times (and precisely in order to avoid being discovered as unqualified, to boot). Finally, the movie unfairly maligns public defenders as incompetent (and it's icky that the person with the stammer is depicted as incompetent, also, which is an unfair -- even if unintentional -- association).
That "My Cousin Vinny" is still so watchable and enjoyable is a real testament to how its many good qualities overcome these negatives. But I think someone could easily use the movie to teach a "What Not To Do" CLE as well.
MCV is entertaining, but for a great legal film, I have to go with Michael Clayton. Brilliant performance by George Clooney and a riveting plot.
You win David! This movie is so good that I allowed my youngest to see it way before she should have been hearing all the curse words. It is also so good that I can overlook that it fails the Bechdel test. (Since so many fail this, I overlook this a lot!)
I really enjoyed My Cousin Vinnie. I, have to say though, David, if you were really the #lawnerd you claim to be you'd be talking about Body Heat. While I am not a Kathleen Turner fan, a better movie has never been made about the rule against perpetuities, and THAT is a truly difficult cinematic feat.
I nominate "The Paper Chase." Every lawyer was a law student once. No movie has ever captured the first year better.
Though Vinny does more detective work than true depositioning (once he learns about discovery/disclosure from his fiancée), I think what I took to be most true from the movie is that you don’t learn how to practice in law school! Plus, Pesci is from NJ so now that you’re one of us, David, I’m glad you’re on the right side of the argument as per usual😀
One of the funniest movies of all time. And it's not popular because clips are used in CLEs. The movie is hugely popular among non-lawyers. Vinnie and Lisa are as funny as Ricky and Lucy.
When I was preparing for my first trial and stressed and in need of a break, my husband made me watch it again. Undeniably classic.