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Twenty years ago, this week, that den of liberal depravity
called Hollywood produced a pearl.
Twenty years ago, this week, 20th Century Fox released "
My Cousin Vinny."
You know what this means? Many of the associates at my firm
were not old enough to see this movie without their parents in tow
when it came out.
Yeah. Think on that for a minute.
I would never have thought that it had been that long, but
the nice folks at the
Abnormal Use Blog pointed it out. They are generating some
nationwide blawgbuzz about the anniversary.
After the jump is my little contribution.
For those of you unfamiliar with the movie, first, I'm sorry
you have been living under a rock for two full decades. You have
missed out on all the cultural references and allusions of this
cinematic masterpiece.
The plot: a classic northern/southern/red state/blue state tale
set in a small town in Alabama. "Two New Yorkers are accused
of murder in rural Alabama while on their way back to college, and
one of their cousins--an inexperienced, loudmouth lawyer not
accustomed to Southern rules and manners--comes in to defend
them." (Internet Movie
Database).
Aside from Marisa Tomei's deservedly Oscar winning
performance as the out-of-work-hairdresser/fiance/automotive
expert, we are also treated to many invaluable life lessons and
practice pointers during the film
First, the importance of first impressions and acting
"lawyerly" before the bench--treating the court with the
dignity and respect that it deserves:
Or the importance of punctuality, lest the court suspect that
you're "on drugs."
When speaking to the jury, be direct and to the point--but not
too direct.
Don't ask a witness--especially an expert witness--a
question to which you do not know the answer:
Enhance the persuasive power of expert testimony by heightening
drama: "I would LOVE to hear DIS."
And most of all, one must gracefully balance the pressures of
work with the home front whilst in trial:
Vincent Laguardia Gambini, you are my mentor. Nay, you are my
real American hero. 20 years on, this film still has it.
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Going Vinny
