CORRINA, CORRINA
A film review by Michael John Legeros
Copyright 1994 Michael John Legeros
Written and directed by Jessie Nelson Cast Whoopi Goldberg, Ray Liotta, Tina Majorino, Joan Cusack, Don Ameche (!) MPAA Rating "PG" Running Time Approx. 120 minutes
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Naming a movie after a song is dangerous business, but CORRINA, CORRINA swings almost as well as its namesake. This enjoyable comedy from the fifties stars Ray Liotta as a just-lost-mom dad with an 8-year-old daughter (Tina Majorino) who has stayed mute (or, ahem, mum) ever since since the funeral. Only after he hires maid Corrina (Whoopi Goldberg), does life return to both his daughter and his home.
CORRINA, CORRINA is clunky as all get-out, with some glaring anachronisms and way-too-broad humor, such as Joan Cusack arriving in padding (!) as Nanny Number One. Director Jessie Nelson shoots every other shot like a home movie and that's doesn't help much, either. The story picks up in the second hour, though, when the characters suddenly "click."
Liotta is good as the vulnerable father--the actor has a subtle range that's worth watching here. Goldberg is also good, though her uncharacteristic (for that era) combination of "smarts 'n' sass" take a little longer to get used to. Majorino, as the daughter, is precious.
There's even a strong anti-smoking slant!
Grade B-
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