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 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 losing a bet, Benny is forced to bring another eccentric into his house: Sam (Johnny Depp), the cousin of a friend. Not inclined to conversation, Sam expresses himself by performing Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton routines (and brilliantly!) Not surprisingly, he immediately hits it off with Joon. As Sam and Joon fall deeper in love, Benny for the first time in life experiences the pangs of jealousy. As can be gathered by this synopsis, Benny and Joon may not strike responsive chord with everyone; those who like the film, however, are almost militant in their devotion. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Jeremiah Chechik, Jeremiah S. Chechik
Genres: Drama, Romance, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1993 Limited
On DVD: Jan 9, 2001
Studio: 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.
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...
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Riddled with insufferably contrived zaniness ... it deals as deeply with mental illness as The Sound of Music explored the genocidal advance of the Third Reich.
Rita Kempley, Washington Post
[Chechik] has crafted Benny & Joon not as a seamless whole but as a tumble of scenes. Unfortunately, too many of them are inspired by Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd or Buster Keaton, and they seem to spill from the screen like Bozos from a kiddie car.
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
Any film that features Johnny Depp performing salutes to the great silent comedians (and, in particular, Buster Keaton) deserves a little slack... [Blu-ray]
Joly Herman, Common Sense Media
Quirky comedy about oddballs is edgy for a PG movie.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
If the performances were as cute and sweet as the characters, the film would need a warning label. But Depp's Sam is delicately touching, a maladjusted waif with both soul and grit, and Masterson resists the temptation to soften Joon.
, Film4
Things are kept on the right side of mawkish thanks largely to a graceful and understated performance from the ever-reliable Depp.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
Johnny Depp gives another head-turning performance in this sweet, sweet comedy
Wally Hammond, Time Out
It's acted out in the secondary emotional register of the glass menagerie: whimsical, delicate, idiosyncratic, barmy.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Great early Depp performance and Masterson is equally terrific
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
One of my favorite romances. Quirky and magical.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
The stars make it palatable, but it's too much contrived cuteness.
Leonard Klady, Movie City News
3.5
Jeffrey M. Anderson, San Francisco Examiner
Johnny Depp is superb, but the rest of the movie doesn't hold water.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
Depp's portrayal of a Buster Keaton-ish type character is mesmerizing.

Read all 18 critic reviews

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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
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 can't go wrong.
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
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 didn't over exaggerate the mental disability of Joon. She speaks normal and seems for the most part normal; that is until she's standing in the middle of the street, with a snorkeling mask on and holding a ping pong paddle, while stopping traffic from moving. But hey, no ones perfect. Joon is played really well by Mary Stuart Masterson. Her character is a mentally ill and very quirky girl who is taken care of by her brother Benny(Aiden Quinn). Benny's life, for the most part, is totally controlled by his sister. He has to watch her every move and when he isn't with her; he has to worry about what she is doing. Thats how is life is until Sam comes to live with them after Joon losses a pot at poker. Sam is played by the always great Johnny Depp, who is as good as ever here. He plays another character who is very whimsical and seems a little more mentally ill then Joon. He loves old movies and walks around like he's Buster Keaton or Charlie Chaplin. While I don't consider this movie to be spectacular, it is a pretty good romantic comedy. In the end it turns out to be quite touching, something that the romantic comedies of today lack. This isn't a straight romantic comedy though, as it doesn't just focus on the love life between Joon and Sam, but also on the love between a brother and a sister. Benny and Joon is a good watch for sure.
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
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 Joon over. Will Benny let them stay together or will he sent Sam away? Pros Good acting and plot. This film is really funny. Johnny depp keep me laughing the whole time. If you like a really funny film you should give this a try.
Jennifer D

This film was worth watching because I LOVE vaudeville physical comedy and Johnny Depp doing it?! Oh dear. Best thing ever. Once more I was struck by how YOUNG Johnny Depp is and the lack of make up and costumes on him and his face. Very cute, very sweet. Really liked it!
Conner R

I enjoyed this movie for having such a kooky atmosphere to it. Johnny Depp was really entertaining and funny. It's a nice fluff movie, with a positive message about love. While it's not perfect, it doesn't claim to be. It's a harmless romantic comedy.
KJ P

Very funny and touching, again Johnny Depp is really weird, but he brings much more enjoyment to the story!
Eric S

Touching film of a mentally unstable young woman(Mary Stuart Masterson) who lives with her overprotective older brother. A quirky young man(Johnny Depp) obsessed with silent screen star Charlie Chaplin moves in as a housekeeper, and essentially keeps more than the house in livable… More
Touching film of a mentally unstable young woman(Mary Stuart Masterson) who lives with her overprotective older brother. A quirky young man(Johnny Depp) obsessed with silent screen star Charlie Chaplin moves in as a housekeeper, and essentially keeps more than the house in livable condition. Depp's duplication of the gags by Chaplin are quite impressive, and gives the film a valuable touch of innocence which is so lost in our society. A clever film that shows how wrong judgement can be, and how good things may come from the most unconventional circumstances.
Wahida K

BEAUTIFULL Movie. Benny and Joon a lovely tale. Great perfomance by Johnny Depp.
Red L

I enjoyed this movie. It is a complicated movie about relationships and mental illness. It gives the feeling of hope even if you are slightly different. I've always enjoyed Mary Stuart Masterson's acting and this movie confirmed that.
Thomas B

if not for johnny depp, this movie would have failed dismally. however, he was there, so it didn't
Chris W

quirky, touching, funny, heartfelt, sentimental, sweet, whimsical, and uplifting. All of these words are the perfect ones to use when describing this very likable, brilliantly acted, and charming movie. The performances all around are unbelievably amazing, and the supporting cast… More
quirky, touching, funny, heartfelt, sentimental, sweet, whimsical, and uplifting. All of these words are the perfect ones to use when describing this very likable, brilliantly acted, and charming movie. The performances all around are unbelievably amazing, and the supporting cast (which is also to be commended), are just as great as the main cast.
Curtis L

Jonny Depp starts out insane and as the film goes on gets much more normal. Sweet story though.
Lady D

Johnny Depp is very entertaining in this film, I just love the bread rolls scene. Funny film with a little serious side it as well. VERDICT: Easy watching, laughed out loud a few times.
Candy R

Johnny always plays quirky characters. Sweet movie.
Lafe F

A stranger named Benny (Johnny Depp) comes to a small town, and cheers things up for Joon (Mary Stuart Masterson) and her older brother (Aidan Quinn). There's fun and frolic. But Joon has emotional problems, causing some concerns. There are good times and sad times. I remember… More
A stranger named Benny (Johnny Depp) comes to a small town, and cheers things up for Joon (Mary Stuart Masterson) and her older brother (Aidan Quinn). There's fun and frolic. But Joon has emotional problems, causing some concerns. There are good times and sad times. I remember the opening theme song The Proclaimers "I Would Walk Five Hundred Miles". It's very small town America, and a light-hearted romantic comedy.
Christopher M

Adorable film about a brother living with and dealing with his mentally ill sister, and then the eccentric Sam, played wonderfully by Johnny Depp, comes along and things change. Although this is definitely one of those intentionally "feelgood" movies with conveniently played… More
Adorable film about a brother living with and dealing with his mentally ill sister, and then the eccentric Sam, played wonderfully by Johnny Depp, comes along and things change. Although this is definitely one of those intentionally "feelgood" movies with conveniently played music, etc - I still highly enjoyed it. Aidan Quinn played the straight man dealing with two eccentrics quite well, and I found Mary Stuart Masterson's performance to be actually outstanding, her portrayal of a pent up young woman with mild mental illness was extremely well done and believable. Of course, Johnny Depp serves largely as the heart of the movie, as he and Joon fall in love. This would be a really good family or date movie I'd imagine, it is very "feelgood", but in a largely genuine way, and I appreciated that.
danny d

not as good as many said it would be, sort of cooky
Jason S

Good one.