Amazing jewel that More People Deserve To Watch!
As a Johnny Depp fan ever since I discovered him in Tim Burton’s movies, I have always taken time to explore his work. Not just Pirates of The Carribean series like some fans do while ignoring the rest of his roles, but all of his movies. From Dead Man to Nightmare on Elm Street alongside the Fantastic Beasts series and new releases like Waiting For the Barbarians. But also other movies that I finally found a copy to purchase.
Such as Benny and Joon. A delightful comedy I first heard of in an interview Johnny Depp did with a fan and they spoke of how he pulled in it amazing Buster Keaton moves with a hat at a park in Spokane. An excellent scene that showed how Johnny can do slapstick comedy that would delight silent movies fans. Though what is even more delightful is this film’s nature.
The story of a young man named Sam and how his presence transforms forever the life of Benny (Benny Pearl) and Joon (Juniper Pearl). A brother and sister still grieving from the tragic death of their parents in a car accident in the 1980s. For Joon, she has developped massive social anxieties that can make her enter into erratic public behaviours, some of them resulting in police interventions. At home, her mood swings are such that several housekeepers meant to take care of her quit their job. And as Joon lives with her brother who works in a garage, he cannot abandon his work to constantly supervise her. For Benny however, his constant protective and possessive nature over his sister makes him lose the chance to have a life of his own and a relationship with someone. A situation that frustrates him as the years go by and he never has the chance to evolve outside of his routine that jails him in his emotions and his chance to connect with others. Even more so as his sister’s behaviour becomes so difficult that the eventuality of putting her in a mental institution becomes more inevitable.
But the day that Benny loses at a poker game and is forced to take care of a fellow player’s cousin named Sam who has just arrived in town, everything around Benny and Joon changes for the best. For the moment Sam appears in this family, his charisma and eccentric skills dazzle them and brighten up their lives. Whether it is at cooking grill cheese with a clothing iron or performing improvised hat tricks inside a park, his talents amaze and delight everyone who sees him at work. From the Pearls to passerbys and even a restaurant employee named Ruthie. Latter whom Sam recognized from her former acting career. A woman that may become a potential girlfriend for Benny. While for Sam, feelings between him and Joon becomes all the more apparent. But how will these chances at romance will affect Benny and Joon? Will it be for the best or the worst?
In its story, Benny and Joon is a movie meant to delight audiences with a positive story. A story that stands along other great classics like Le Fabuleux Destin d’AmĆ©lie Poulain. For like Jean-Pierrre Jeunet’s masterpiece, Benny and Joon presents the magic of unexpected encounters and how they enrich the lives of people caught in distress and sadness. Here, two relatives still grieving and afraid of moving out of their mental and social jails. So this movie could be a beautiful helping tool for families caught in their grief or in depression. Indeed, it tackles mental health issues through a very positive and well-written script. With each character presenting their qualities, flaws and personality traits. Very charming individuals so memorable you don’t want to leave them after the story is over.
Of the cast, the actors and actresses chosen are all excellent. From Mary Stuart Masterson and Aidan Quinn who are perfect for the roles of Benny and Joon to Johnny Depp as Sam. In this film, Johnny is amazing in capturing every quirk and adorable individual. Of Sam, he makes it so charming and appealing on camera that you just wish he could be in front of you and that you could befriend him. To me, Sam stands among the best roles Johnny Depp has done. Alongside his Tim Burton performances to Gellert Grindelwald and William Blake from Dead Man. Another wonderful casting choice was Julianne Moore as Ruthie, that restaurant employee who becomes part of the Pearl family. Like them, her chartacter is caught in her loneliness and her failed past career as an actress; and through Sam, she gets to reappreciate her work even though the C-List movies she did were not masterpieces. And through Benny, her possibe romance between them becomes more and more evident. As to whether or not Benny will open his heart to her, that remains to be seen in the film.
Of the music, Rachel Portman composed a soundtrack that fits with the appealing personality of Sam; alongside the personality issues of our two titular characters. Interestingly, she has worked on the movie The Adventures of Pinocchio, a movie where Benny and Joon‘s co-writer Barry Berman worked on the script. A movie that maybe wasn’t perfect, but nevertheless had an intriguing universe setting.
In conclusion, Benny and Joon is a must if you love Johnny Depp’s movies, but also upbeat comedies like Le Fabuleux Destin d’AmĆ©lie Poulain. It is one of those movies you can’t help smiling all the way through the story.
Romantic, comical, and moving, Benny and Joon is a jewel that deserves to be seen by everyone. Whether or not they are fans of Johnny Depp.
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