Benny and Joon starring Johnny Depp, Mary Stuart Masterson, Aidan Quinn and Julianne Moore. Image via uaa.alaska.edu/

Car mechanic Benny (Aidan Quinn) has been living with and taking care of his sister Joon (Mary Stuart Masterson) ever since they lost their parents a long time ago. Joon is mentally troubled and has certain obsessions. Her problems make her intolerant to certain things such as extreme noise, traffic and chaos. While social consultants advise Benny to register in a private care facility, Benny is perfectly content with the living arrangements and so is Joon.

Benny’s idea of fun is playing poker with his friends. At one game, the stakes get a bit unusual. One of Benny’ friends puts his eccentric cousin Sam (Johnny Depp) on the table. Benny loses and ends up taking Sam at home. Sam can’t read or write but he is a total movie nut and he is acting a lot like the silent movie actor Buster Keaton. It doesn’t take long for him to get used to Joon’s “eccentricities” and Joon has a lot of fun having him around. In fact they seem to form a special bond which leads to a romantic involvement. But how will Benny react? And how are these two ever going to make a relationship work? And will Benny be ever to concentrate on his romantic life while he is concerned about Joon all the time?

Benny and Joon is a delightful, emotional and very fun romantic comedy/drama. The performances are lovely but of course as always Johnny Depp shines through. Oliver Platt and Julianne Moore take supporting roles – Oliver Platt as Benny’s friend and Julianne Moore as Ruthie, Benny’s romantic interest. The soundtrack is just lovely and both Benny and Joon’s and Joon and Sam’s relationships are well-developed throughout the film. This film is so much more than a romantic/drama/comedy.

Directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik and written by Barry Berman and Lesley McNeil, 1993.

Rated 6.9 on IMDB. Well, 7 or above 7 seems pretty fair to me. Benny and Joon is a total Johnny Depp gem. Of course the film is based in reality and you are having your most fun Tim Burton/ Johnny Depp collaborations, this might not be ideal for you. However, I do suggest you give this one a shot.

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Christian, growiing up nicely — Christian Slater is growing up nicely,

I’m so living in the 90s when it comes to movies. I believe that’s when most of the great movies have been made. Feel free to disagree but for me that was a time when movies were at their best, especially when it came to entertainment; whatever the genre. That was also an era when I had many actors to follow the filmographies of. Christian Slater was denifinitely one of them. His name still draws me to the movie. I know I can trust him to make a good one. I know I will have fun.

Yes, I believe him to be cute. But we are not talking about hot, hot, hot. We are talking about a sort of unique, maybe quirky but totally appealing attractiveness. He carries on anger and angst very well,just as well as he plays the bad boy/bad guy. When he does get to play romantic, we girls feel lucky. He has that innocent, boyish charm- and he can be sexy at the same time. It is a dangerous and irresistable combination. Have you seen “Untamed Heart” ?

He skillfully plays a clueless, highly sensitive and an unintentionally reclusive young guy; who is in love with his co-worker (Marisa Tomei).

Bed of Roses (1996) with Mary Stuart Masterson

Or “Bed of Roses” ? Too romantic for your taste? But, hey- Christian has the ability to make you forget about your cynical side.

He is not a big guy, but he is nicely built and he sure can carry an action film. I absolutely love the John Woo flick “Broken Arrow”. Christian versus a psychotic John Travolta… What a team. Good vs. Evil, nuclear weapons…The works.

I don’t want to forget Basil, where he is the guy of my nightmares. Murder in the First is an excellent legal thriller/drama where he plays the dedicated lawyer of the abused Kevin Bacon…The list goes on so let’s come to this century, shall we?

I still watch the movie if Christian is in it. Yesterday I saw the 2005 ‘s : “The Deal”.

thedeal2005 — The Deal starring Christian Slater and Selma Blair

A thriller about big companies, oil deals and how far people will go to get what they want. Strategies, lies and deceptions – nicely written, beautifully acted: right up my alley.

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The Deal with Slater is that he can play the lead and be in a supporting role. He is in his 3rd decade of movies. He doesn’t mind getting ugly for a role (please check out “He was a quiet man” and you will know what I mean).

He can pull off any genre. But I guess because he is a bad boy in real life (I forget how many times he got arrested), when he plays a romantic role; he is at his best. Add some action to the mix. We have a talented and good-looking actor who can kick ass.

christian500

All I can say to Chris is : Cheers and keep up the good work…

Other Christian Slater posts:

The Forgotten starring Christian Slater

Job Security? What Job Security?

ALIAS

My Own Worst Enemy

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Benny and Joon starring Johnny Depp, Aidan Quinn, Mary Stuart Masterson and Julianne Moore

The Deal with Christian Slater: Christian Slater Tribute and The Deal Movie Review

The Forgotten starring Christian Slater