Benny & Joon (DVD, 2001, Canadian)

At the onset of this review, I admit my bias: Johnny Depp is one of my favorite contemporary younger actors. My reasoning: his skillful rsatility. "Benny & Joon" proves that point as Depp pulls it off doing Chaplin & Keaton kind of characterizations, except, in contemporary society while dealing with a sensitive issue: emotional & mental challenges.

The success of this show, besides terrific casting & performances, is dialogue, dialogue, dialogue....

The story takes place in a small US town where an auto mechanic, Benjamin
'Benny' Pearl (Aidan Quinn) is devoted to caring for Juniper 'Joon' Pearl (Mary Stuart Masterson), his mentally unbalanced sister. Although Joon's a talented artist, young & pretty, she's not able to function alone in society. Ever since their parents died, Benny's been over-protective of her.

Joon & Benny's workable home-life is disrupted after Joon loses during an unusual poker game. The stakes were set up so that whomever lost was obliged to take to their home for several days, another poker player's relative, Sam (Johnny Depp).

Joon: I lost...
Benny: What's in the pot?
Joon: A cousin.

Benny: You can't bet a human being!

Joon: You can't throw him out, I won him!

After Sam arrives, his eccentricities become self-evident. Sam's talent is emulating the antics of Buster Keaton & Charlie Chaplin, classic silent film comedians. Sam makes an instant delightful impression upon Joon.

Joon: Did you have to go to school for that?
Sam: No, no, I got thrown out of school for that.

Although Benny's aware that Joon's fascinated by what Sam does, he's not aware that Sam & Joon are strongly romantically drawn to each other. Joon's way into the kinds of oddball shannigans Sam does.

Joon: He can really cook, can't he?
Benny: Uh, yeah. Although for grilled cheese, I mighta used a wool setting.
Joon: That's what I told him.
Benny: Really? What-what did he use?
Joon: Rayon.
Benny: Mm.
Joon: Silk would have been too soggy. Cotton would have...
Benny: Would have burned it.
Joon: Right. Fortunately, he consulted me before giving it steam. I was four square against it.

When Benny does find out, the closely-knit siblings' relationship is set into a tailspin. Sam's presence distinctly alters Benny & Joon's relationship. Benny becomes quite angry with Sam.

Benny: I hope you're happy...I hope you're happy with what you've done to her.
[throws Sam against wall]
Benny: You just stay the hell away from my sister.
Sam: [shakes his head] No...no.
Benny: You wanna know why everyone laughs at you, Sam? Because you're an idiot.
You're a first-class *moron*. [lets go of Sam. Pauses]
Sam: [nodding head while stumbling slowly away] You're scared, Benny.
Benny: I'm *what*?
Sam: You're scared. I can see it...and I know why. I used to look up to you. But...uh...now I can't look at you at all. [walks out of hospital]

Sam & Joon are a perfect match. Now, Benny needs to find his & get a life~