Benny & Joon

Benny & Joon (1993)

  • 75% of critics liked it
    (32 reviews)

  • 85% of users liked it
    (130,103 ratings)

Johnny Depp was nominated for a Golden Globe for his astonishing performance in Benny & Joon, though the entire cast is equally impressive. Benny (Aidan Quinn) runs a small car repair shop. He must also take care of his mentally ill sister Juniper, better known as Joon (Mary Stuart Masterson). After… More

Play Trailer

PG,
Directed By
,
Genres
Drama, Romance, Comedy
In Theaters
Jan 1, 1993 Limited
MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

  • Emanuel Levy, Variety

    As the outsider who courts the mentally ill Mary Stuart Masterson, Johnny Depp renders a startling performance that elevates the romantic fable way above its writing and directing shortcomings; look for the young Julianne Moore in a small part.

  • Wally Hammond, Time Out

    It's acted out in the secondary emotional register of the glass menagerie: whimsical, delicate, idiosyncratic, barmy.

  • Janet Maslin, New York Times

    Mr. Depp may look nothing like Buster Keaton, but there are times when he genuinely seems to become the Great Stone Face, bringing Keaton's mannerisms sweetly and magically to life.

  • Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

    The cast is defeated by a cloying Barry Berman script that Jeremiah Chechik directs with the same flair for the obvious he brought to National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

  • Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

    The movie suggests that love and magic can overcome madness, and for at least the length of the film I was prepared to accept that. Much of the credit for that goes to Depp...

Read all 17 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Mike S


    Fun and delightful odd-ball comedy, featuring the always brilliant Johnny Depp, whose character in this story is no less memorable than all those he has come to play after this movie was made. And with "If I could walk 500 miles" as both the intro and outro song, you just… More

  • Melvin W


    Joon: Don't underestimate the mentally ill. We know how to count.  Benny and Joon is basically a light comedy that turns into a drama in the last  third. It's an odd movie to say the least and the actors really pulled their characters off well. I like that the movie… More

  • AJ V


    I think this movie is okay, but I know Depp fans out there just love it. If you ask me, this movie was made to showcase how cute and funny Depp could be, and of course his Chaplin impersonation. Other than that, there's no reason for it really.

  • Aaron N


    Sam: I'm Sam. Benny: So I hear. I'm Benny. Sam: With an 'n'? Benny: Yea two of 'em. This is Joon. Sam: With an 'n'? Joon: One. You're out of your tree. Sam: It's not my tree.

  • erika b


    Benny & Joon is about mentally unstable women Joon (Mary Masterson) who does anything she wants and over time drives her brother Benny (Aidan Quinn) and what ever house keeper he hires to look after her. One day a Sam (Johnny depp) moves in and his way of acting like a clown wins… More

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Currently unavailable on Flixster

Also available on

Other Retailers

Subscription Services

Not Available
Not Available

Cast

See more (19)

Trailers & Clips