Corrina, Corrina

My wife Rebecca is a fan of Ray Liotta so when this movie appeared on cable TV it had to be viewed. And what a surprise! The rapport between Ray and Whoopi Goldberg was very noticable. I don't know if it is so but there seemed to be a considerable amount of ad lib-ing. Some of the things that happened on screen could not have been scripted or the director's instructions. And the rapport between Whoopi and Molly (Tina Majorino later to be seen in "Waterworld") was just as impressive. But the theme of two minority groups (Jewish and Negro) coming together in the way they did was done in absolutely good taste and a delight to any liberal thinking viewers. It could have become a weepie but, for sure, I'm glad it didn't. I can't wait to see it again.

Corrina, Corrina

Manny Singer (Ray Liotta) is a struggling songwriter for a company that makes television commercials, who also has a loving wife and a daughter, Molly (Tina Majorino). When his wife dies, Manny's whole life falls apart, his daughter stops speaking, and he develops a creative block on his jingle-writing skills that threatens to get him fired. To solve one of these problems, he starts looking for a nanny for Molly, reluctantly settling on Corrina Washington (Whoopi Goldberg), a woman who has recently moved into town to stay with her sister, and who also happens to be black. Though far from the most efficient housekeeper in the town, Corrina clicks instantly with Molly, who eventually starts to speak again. Manny also takes a shine to Corrina, and a friendship soon forms between the two widows, but they can't seem to agree on what is best for Molly.

As easy as it may be to classify 'Corrina, Corrina' as a fifties-set drama, I'm inclined to resist this temptation, for two main reasons. Firstly, aside from the underlying comments about race, the fifties setting is used only as a backdrop, with the focus on a very heartfelt dramedy, which leads me to my second point. 'Corrina, Corrina' is certainly moving, and there are times when you may feel the need to reach for a box of tissues. But it's also quite hilarious as well, and writer/director Jessie Nelson finds a fine balance between the dramatic and comedic beats to make a remarkable motion picture. Liotta, Goldberg and Majorino give wonderful performances, and these really do feel like real characters. A real winner.

~ 8/10 ~

This movie is beautiful from start to finish.

Whoopi Goldberg is perfectly casted as Corrina, a black (well, duh) nanny who is employed by a white Jew (very well played by Ray Liotta), to take care of his daughter Molly (again excellently played by Tina Majorino).

The plot. Manny Singer's (Ray) wife has just died leaving him and his 7 year old daughter (Tina) behind. Molly is a little lost after this and she doesn't speak a word to her father or anyone else. After employing a plethora of disastrous nannys Manny finally comes to Corrina, who is perfect. One problem: She's black, he's white, and this is 1959 segregated America.

After a little while Molly begins to talk again and is generally uplifted by Corrina, who seems to have this miraculous way of bringing people back to their feet, including Manny. Corrina and Manny fall in love against all odds, and what you get is a beautiful interracial romance that at that time is classed as wrong, even abnormal. No one approves apart from Molly and her Grandfather (Don Ameche).

One down side to this film, and I will add that it is the only down side, is the ending - you don't really know what happens. If I hadn't done a little research then I wouldn't have known that director Jessie Nelson had based this film on her true life story. She's black and her now husband of 40 odd years was white. This story is her story. They got married and lived happily ever after - but we have to guess. So the ending could have used a little bit more work. But that's it!! The movie is just wonderful. It's uplifting, heartbreaking, humorous and romantic.

My score: 10/10

Whoppie Goldberg excels in this thoroughly entertaining film. Ably supported by Ray Liotta, this duo clicks nicely in a surprisingly believable romantic comedy/drama.

Jessie Nelson's script reflects on a somewhat forgotten, yet thoroughly accurate, 50's neighborhood setting which existed in many parts of the country -- an environment generally overlooked by film subjects.

There's a nice lilt to the story, a surprising warmth projected to character portrayals, and an ingratiating blend of humor and drama. All in all, a very pleasant, relaxing family film, nicely directed by Nelson, and with an intelligent and sensitive performance by Goldberg.

Corrina, Corrina (1994)

*** (out of 4)

After losing his wife at a young age, single father Manny (Ray Liotta) decides hire a housemaid named Corrina (Whoopi Goldberg) and this has a positive impact on his daughter Molly (Tina Majorino).

CORRINA, CORRINA is one of those films that was released to very little fanfare and it sadly didn't do too well at the box office. You'd hope it would get more attention on video but it didn't. You'd hope that at some point of its home video life more people would discover the film but as of me writing this it hasn't happened. At this point you have to wonder if it's just going to be one of those gems that never finds an audiance to enjoy it.

It's really too bad because the film is actually an exceptionally good one that features a very good and tender story as well as some great performances. The film is set in the 1950's so you've got the added drama of the racial tensions, which comes into play but the film never preaches but instead lets the drama play out in a realistic way. What's so great about the movie is that it's simply trying to tell a simple story about three people who need one another.

There are a lot of hilarious moments throughout the film as both Liotta and Goldberg are perfect in their roles. Having such capable actors means they are able to make you believe in the characters and make the characters feel real. You've also got great support from Majorino, Don Ameche and Joan Cusack. The film works the laughs perfectly but there are also some touching moments that will leave many grabbing for the tissues.

One would hope that CORRINA, CORRINA would eventually find more fans.