Corrina, Corrina

A captivating drama / comedy that casts Ray Liotta as 'Manny Singer', a man who recently lost his wife and has his daughter Molly (Tina Majorino) to take care of, who was too sad and heartbroken to talk to anyone after her mother's death. As Manny tries to find a suitable 'nurse maid' for Molly so he can go back to work, Corrina Washington (in the form of Whoopi Goldberg) comes into the picture and eventually gets hired by Manny to take care of the little girl. The funny thing is, what the Singers weren't expecting was for Corrina to bring magic back into their lives. An endearing little treasure, 'Corrina, Corrina' is a motion picture filled with heart and laughter, that's sure to send your spirits soaring. Wendy Crewson is great in her supporting role as the not-so-nice and aggressive 'Jenny Davis'. Goldberg is absolutely terrific in the title role. A highly-recommended motion picture. Rating: Three 1/2 out of Five Stars (Very Good).

Ray Liotta a typical ad man from the Eisenhower 50s has just lost his wife and his daughter Tina Majorino her mother. He's needing a housekeeper and babysitter very badly. He starts interviewing a variety of candidates not all of them women. But Whoopi Goldberg playing the title role sort of ingratiates herself with both father and daughter.

Soon enough there's an attraction between the two of them, but this is not 2019 it is the 50s and before the Civil Rights Act. They get a lot of fisheyed stares and a racial crack or two. And that is both of them as Goldberg's own family says to stick to her own kind.

Whoopi's scenes with Tina are really special they're what drive the film. It also makes it a family film in every sense of the word.

Two movie oldtimers, K.T. Stevens and Don Ameche make their farewell appearances. Ameche has only a few scenes and you can see how the ravages of cancer are killing him slowly. A lot like Edward G. Robinson and Soylent Green.

There's also a nice performance by Erica Yohn as Liotta's mom and what a Yiddishe Mama she is. Ameche is his father.

This is a wonderful film and with interracial couples far more accepted now it's a look back on some brave people.

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.

This movie was great and Tina Majorino did a beyond excellent job as Molly, the little girl who lost her mother and is coping with it by becoming mute and withdrawn. Whoopi Goldberg did wonderful as the nanny and girlfriend of the little girl's father. The little girl and nanny form a bond that noone would've thought, especially in the 1950's. I loved it!! Be ready to pull out the box of Kleenex for this one!! I know I did!!

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.