User reviews

I was surprised at how much I liked this film, I guess that I could somehow relate to the characters. Masterson's Joon is an awfully sad character that I really felt bad for, so was Depp's Sam, but they worked so well together, and had so many wonderful moments that made this film work. Anyone with a heart will enjoy this sweet little film. The only mistake was the relationship between Aidan Quinn and Julianne Moore, that just didnt seem to fit into the rest of the movie. Still, its a sweet and warm hearted film that everyone should enjoy. My rating: 8/10.

I first saw this movie with almost no expectations. Now I own it and have watched it more times than I can remember.

I have heard that this movie caught a lot of flak about not being "realistic" about mental illness, and not providing a diagnosis for Joon, etc. I think that it is more realistic for the "average" person with a mental illness than any other movie I have seen on the topic. There was no theme of "being institutionalised forever" and there was no unrealistic expectation of a "cure".

The character of Sam put it best when he said "Aside from being a little mentally ill, she's pretty normal." I think that's the best quote I've heard in a movie, on that particular topic.

I also think there is a reason for there being no stated diagnosis of Joon. She personifies those of us who can't get on with the things we want to do in life because of a mental illness and treatment getting in the way. She does it very well, down to the mannerisms. If she were to be labeled, say, obsessive-compulsive, or post-traumatic stress disorder, or schizophrenic, or bipolar, then the universality would be taken out of it and it would suddenly only apply to people with one certain label.

This movie did wonders for my family. Upon watching it, we all said "That's us!" and learned to laugh at ourselves and the situations we got into. It offered me a lot of hope -- what more could I want than to find an understanding and eccentric friend to love and move into my own apartment, away from the mess of hospitals and doctors? It still makes me laugh every time I see it, and "Joon" has become a household word... I recommend this to anyone, particularly anyone with a mental illness, and their families -- it might lighten things up, but it certainly doesn't skip over the bad parts.

The idea of BENNY & JOON is pretty good. Adult brother (Aiden Quinn) and sister (Mary Stuart Masterson) live together because the sister is mentally unstable and he needs to look after her. However, over time, it's obvious he can't control her and they both need space to grow--but Benny cannot bring himself to admit this. Being so inextricably intertwined isn't good for either of them. Into this less than idea situation appears the rather child-like and bizarre character played by Johnny Depp. This oddball is a bit like Chaplin and Keaton combined and it's obvious he's addicted to these silent comedies, as Depp nicely recreates the dance with the diner rolls Chaplin did in THE GOLD RUSH.

Overall, the biggest plus was Depp's strange but endearing performance. This, combined with the basic plot idea do make the film worth seeing. Unfortunately, two elements really distracted as well. First, exactly what sort of mental illness Joon has is rather vague and strange. In some ways she seems to have a combination of schizophrenia and an intermittent explosive disorder---but at other times she seems reasonably normal. Secondly, and this REAALLY irritated me, is that at least three times during the film they had long musical montages that seemed more like music videos than part of a film and they really came out of nowhere--looking more like padding than anything else or perhaps the film was being deliberately marketed solely towards teens.

Still, it's an agreeable little film--just don't expect a lot of magic.

BENNY & JOON seems, at its heart, to be an allegory about the different ways people can be out of touch with their fellow human beings, and the ways in which that dischord can be healed.

Benny owns an auto shop and takes care - both financially and physically - of himself and his sister Joon after the death of their parents. Other than weekly poker games, Benny's is a life of servitude, and this is the source of his isolation. He longs to be free to have other relationships, but is wracked by guilt at the idea of leaving Joon in anyone else's care.

Joon is an artist and is also mentally ill, a schizophrenic who has good and bad days and who depends on Benny to provide routine in her life. She has run out every housekeeper to be found in town, but cannot function without assistance and supervision. The film does a superb job of differentiating between mental illness (from which Joon clearly suffers) and stupidity (which is not a problem she faces).

Into their lives comes Sam, a cousin of one of Benny's poker buddies. Through a clever conceit, Sam moves in with Benny and Joon. Sam is undereducated, partially illiterate but a comedic genius who studies Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, knows catalogs of old movies, and has perfected the art form (kudos to Depp for the grace and conviction of this part of his performance). Like Keaton and the great silent film stars, Sam rarely speaks to communicate, and this combined with his illiteracy condemns him to be considered stupid as well. The great sneaker quality of Depp's performance is to show that Sam is always watching, always listening, and that he's no dim bulb by any stretch.

In Sam, Joon finds a person who makes her laugh, lives by his own rules, and cares for her deeply. In Joon, Sam finds a woman who appreciates him as he is, but he also knows a relationship with her is taboo. In a particularly revealing scene, he asks Benny, as one man to another, "How sick is she?" We know he is wrestling with his feelings for her, but Benny does not, and his offhanded answer comes across as callous and almost mocking.

While the handling of Sam and Joon's budding relationship may seem trite, and the humor applied to Joon's illness might seem cruel, in my experience the people who make those judgments know little about living day to day with a mentally ill - not to be confused with unintelligent - human being. There is deep and abiding truth in the idea that laughter and love can cure the incurable; people who seemed unable to function before can make great strides when they are shown trust and respect. And although the psychiatric issues were glossed over in this film, it has at its core an honest message of hope. One of my favorite films, for Depp and Masterson's outstanding performances and a true depiction of imperfect people on the journey to becoming whole. 9/10

An auto mechanic named Benny is a devoted and adoring brother to his mentally ill sister, Joon. They exist well enough until Joon loses a poker game and both she and Benny have to take in another players cousin, Sam. Sam is quirky and eccentric, his antics falling in with those of the great Buster Keaton. Operating as house keeper, Sam quickly settles in and wins Benny around, but as Sam and Joon start falling for each other, things start to take a rather different course.

When a film has a character win another human being at cards, it's either going to be a dark nasty piece or a whimsical tale. Benny and Joon is the latter. Apparently chided for its poor portrayals of mental illness {tellingly tho, Joon's illness is not identified} Benny & Joon just about survives the pit fall traps because of its engaging cast. Johnny Depp as Sam is utterly beguiling while Mary Stuart Masterton {Joon} is sweet and affecting in what is after all, the difficult role. Very much a serious story cloaked in the afore mentioned whimsy, Jeremiah S. Chechik's film has some things to say about overcoming obstacles and the need for human connection in sometimes trying circumstances. But most importantly it dares to suggest that something as simple as treating the supposedly mentally ill with respect, warmth and dignity just may garner important and life changing results????

I can't honestly say I could be tempted to watch this film again because it's an oddity that seems confused to what it primarily wants to be. If indeed the makers themselves from the off had a course in mind for the story and how it panned out? But it does have a lot of supporters and it's not too much of a stretch to understand why, warm, quirky, and maybe important? 6.5/10

I doubt that I can add much to all the good things said about this film. Acting is superb, as is writing and direction, which keep the story from ever seeming "cute". It is never condescending about mentally ill; I love line where Joon corrects Benny's score keeping of a ping-pong game:" the mentally ill can count, you know". Both serious and comic, like life. Imagine, a good film without violence, drug life, car chases or sex. See it.

I have to say that I think Benny & Joon may be one of my favorite Johnny Depp films, along with Edward Scissorhands and Cry Baby. Unfortunately, you don't hear too many people talk about B&J the way they do Johnny's more high profile films, like Pirates of the Caribbean. This film is wonderful because it manages to tell the story of two mentally ill characters and never make them helpless victims. Instead, at their worst they're merely troubled and interesting characters, and at their best they're absolutely charming and heartwarming. Of course, Depp shines with his spot-on Chaplin impressions, and Masterson and Quinn are in top form as well. The real miracle of this film is that it is able to tell a story laced with realism through a whimsical lens, and it walks the tightrope of making one feel good without blatant reassurance. You believe Benny and Joon love one another without a gratuitous sex scene, (only a beautifully sensual one), and the viewer subsequently falls in love with everyone because this is a fine example of the way characters should be developed. Bravo to all involved!

Johnny's character really saved the "boo radley mood" movie. It made it cute and funny, annoying for some moments, but it was understandable. Johnny's a gem, you can see that from his early movies, these kind of characters fit him like a hand, not glove. Looking forward for the next ones. Peace & Love!

I saw "Benny and Joon" in a dollar theatre when I was 12 and a half and my family was going through some difficult times. I had always liked movies before, but they were just an occasional treat and I never really paid attention to actors or directors or the like. After seeing "Benny and Joon" I was in love with movies! I can't pinpoint what it was about this movie that touched me so, but as an insecure, nerdy little 12 year old, it gave me something I needed. I have learned a lot about movies since then, I can name most actors and directors and I know all the production company logos, which makes me a little TOO happy ;)

A lot of movies have come and gone since I first saw "Benny and Joon" and there are plenty that I love, but, for me "Benny and Joon" will always be tops and always have a special place in my heart.

The current trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard got me interested in this movie of Depp's from the early '90s. Jeremiah S. Chechik's "Benny & Joon" casts Depp as an eccentric artist who falls for a schizophrenic woman (Mary Stuart Masterson).

The questionable part of the movie will probably be the depiction of schizophrenia. Personally, I don't know how schizophrenic people behave. I can only say that Depp and Masterson put on some great performances, with fine support from Aidan Quinn and Julianne Moore. It's a movie that everyone should see at least once. If nothing else, it can draw attention to the issue of schizophrenia. Definitely check it out.

It's a good premise for a movie, and an interesting thought. However I'd have liked it more if Joon was a likeable character. But I find her insufferable. I don't care about her mental problems, because her personality is so awful. I spend most of the movie hoping Sam would find someone else who I could cheer for. I wish they'd worked harder on the Joon character so that I actually cared what happened to her. Why put so much effort into Sam, and almost nothing into a titular character? Was Johnny the magic ingredient?

I really identify with this movie, and with Joon. I myself am mentally ill (in fact, disabled by it). I don't think it matters that her mental illness is unspecified... so many mental illnesses overlap in real life, and often DO go unspecified even if the person is counselling.

I am mentally ill and (as birds of a feather flock together) know many people who are also mentally ill. As for it being representation of what it's really like to be or live with a mentally ill person, you can't really lump such an experience together. Mentally ill people vary just as much as "normal" people do.

Some of the details in this movie are great. They depicted Joon as a rounded character, a creative, sensitive, intelligent person. This is often the case with mentally ill people. I love the eccentricities of the characters. I think the details, writing, and everything about this movie are just wonderful. I've seen it many times.

Most people who I know who have seen this movie adore it. I think it's great.

This is a movie that I didn't know about until doing prep work for JwaC Presents Depp Dive: A Depper Look at Johnny's Feature Filmography. Jaime, who is the reason we are doing this show, used to own this on DVD as part of a pack. From what I gathered; she had only seen this once. I came in just having seen the cast list and was intrigued even more during the opening credits.

Our focus here are siblings, Benny (Aidan Quinn) and Joon Pearl (Mary Stuart Masterson). The latter has mental issues and they need a housekeeper. She quits though as Joon has become too much. She needs constant supervision. Benny has put his life on hold to take care of his sister and keep her out of a group home.

That is even proving to be an issue and her doctor, Garvey (CCH Pounder), believes it might be time for her to have more professional help. What they have now isn't working. That is until Sam (Johnny Depp) takes a train into town. He is staying with his cousin, Mike (Joe Grifasi). Joon ends up winning or losing, depending on how you look at it, a game of cards that requires the siblings to take Sam home. He is intrigued by Joon and the two develop a relationship. He brings his own set of issues that creates problems as well.

I think that should recap and introduce the characters for what we need. What I'll say is that having watched a handful of Depp's early movies, he takes on quirky roles even early in his career. I give him credit for that. Sam is an odd character who loves cinema, including Buster Keaton. He sees Joon and finds her beautiful. He also likes how quirky she is. Sam doesn't find her as sick as Benny is making out. Jaime and I were discussing what we thought each was dealing with. We aren't qualified to know for sure, but it seems like Sam has autism as he hyper focuses on things, which in the case are movies and being odd. This latter also seems to be centered around slapstick routines of early cinema.

The other major character here is Joon. Masterson does a great job in bringing this character to life. Originally, I thought she was autistic with things she was doing. Jaime brought up that speculation online was schizophrenia. That makes more sense when I heard that. She is prone to maniac outbursts. She needs structure and Sam disrupts that. Sometimes it helps, other times it leads to problems. I do love how they interact and need each other.

We also have a great cast around them. Quinn is an actor that I've seen in a handful of things. I've not seen a bad performance from him, including here. He cares about his sister, but they also have developed a co-dependency. We also have supporting cast of a Julianne Moore, Olivier Platt, Pounder, Dan Hedaya, Grifasi and William H. Macy. It just wild to see this group when they were younger and not necessarily having the name recognition yet.

I'd also say that this is well-made. The cinematography does well in capturing how eccentric Sam is and acts. We also see how Benny and Joon's house is due to him placating her. She is a great artist as well. They do fun things with angles to showcase the sleight of hand magic that Sam does. I'd also say that the soundtrack fit what was needed. This is an under talked about movie that I had a fun time with. I'd recommend especially to Depp fans to see an earlier quirky role from him.

My Rating: 7 out of 10.

I had one of the worst days in my life as I came home to see this promising movie. And yet at the beginning as I heard the Proclaimers with "500 Miles" (I don't know why)I felt better. I knew this film was gonna be something very special. And it kept what it promised. This is the perfect movie if you feel terribly down.

This is a really romantic dramedy film. It's a film that will make you laugh and have tears in yours from the sadness. It's an all around good film that is good for teen film but it's also very much for adults.

Johnny Depp has been known for odd roles and Benny & Joon is no exception. He plays the eccentric character Sam who falls in love with a girl that has some mental disabilities Juniper "Joon" Pearl - it's a really nice love story.

If you liked Depp in films like What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993) and Cry-Baby (1990) then there is a chance you will enjoy Benny & Joon (1993).

7.5/10

I have fallen in love with this film. It is a classic love story between two lovable, quirky characters Sam and Joon. Benny and Joon has serious elements in its portrayal of Joon's (Masterson) sickness and how it affects her relationship with her brother, Benny (Quinn). This melancholy feeling is soon overshadowed by the magical aura that Sam (Depp) brings to these troubled siblings giving the movie an overall light-hearted and fun feeling.

The characters in Benny and Joon make the film truly original. Johnny Depp's portrayal of Sam is amazing. He hits the mark with his off-the-wall performance that brings exceptional charm to the story. Mary Stuart Masterson's portrayal of the mentally ill Joon is also spectacular. Depp and Masterson have undeniable chemistry in this movie. The quirkiness of their characters complement each other while Aidan Quinn's portrayal of Benny keeps the story down to earth with his sensibility that contrasts Sam and Joon's eccentricity. In short, this is a romance you won't want to miss.

This film is one of my all-time favorites. A "must" for any weird person like me who is looking for something he could relate to. Johnny Depp never struck me as a 'stunning' actor. Then I saw 'Benny & Joon'. That reversed my opinion: he is definitely my favorite actor (I also recommend "Finding Neverland" and "What's Eating Gilbert Grape", among others). The music also gets a 'thumbs up', with tunes like John Hiatt's "Have A Little Faith In Me" and The Proclaimers' "I'm Gonna Be", which became a pop hit after being featured in this film. If anyone told you that it was a 'chick-flick', they're wrong (I've never been a chick-flick fan myself). Sure, it's not "Movies For Guys Who Like Movies" material, but it is definitely one of the truly essential movies of its decade.

Benny and Joon stars Mary Stuart Masterson, Johnny Depp and Aidan Quinn, and it's an okay movie, but the subject matter could have been a TV movie of the week just as easily as a silver screen release. Joon is a mentally ill woman who is taken care of by her brother and an endless line of caretakers. She "wins" Sam(Depp) in a poker game, and soon discovers love with the goofy and offbeat character. Quinn is her brother Benny, and he is first reluctant to take Sam in, then angered when he is told of their relationship before finally seeing the need to allow Joon to grow up without his constant direction. Depp is marvelous as Sam, and does a wonderful job in the physical comedy parts of the film as Sam is a devotee of movies, and imitates the comedy stars of the thirties.