Frankie & Johnny (1991)

78% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
62% of users liked it
(20,825 ratings)

Terrence McNally's stage play Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune was a two-character piece, which starred Kathy Bates and F. Murray Abraham on Broadway. Garry Marshall's film version of the McNally play streamlines the title to Frankie and Johnny, expands the dramatis personae to include at… More Terrence McNally's stage play Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune was a two-character piece, which starred Kathy Bates and F. Murray Abraham on Broadway. Garry Marshall's film version of the McNally play streamlines the title to Frankie and Johnny, expands the dramatis personae to include at least a dozen fascinating characters, and "glamorizes" the decidedly unglamorous Frankie and Johnny in the forms of Michelle Pfeiffer and Al Pacino (their first co-starring stint since Scarface). Purists carped at the changes, but overall the film is likeable enough to transcend these carps. While serving an 18-month sentence on a forgery charge, Johnny (Al Pacino) discovers the joys of cooking and classical literature. Upon his release, he is hired by gruff but good-hearted New York diner owner Nick (played by Garry Marshall "regular" Hector Elizondo). Also working for Nick is a waitress named Frankie (Michelle Pfeiffer). When Johnny expresses interest in Frankie, she keeps him at arm's length, her mistrust of men stemming from an unmentioned but obviously traumatic experience in her past. Eventually, however, Frankie and Johnny do get together, their curious relationship setting the stage for a dramatic denouement wherein both lovers bare their souls. The bulk of the original McNally play is concentrated in the film's final 20 minutes; the rest of the picture is a kaleidoscope of comic and poignant vignettes and quick-sketch character studies. Of the newly minted characters, the standout is Nathan Lane in the traditional "gay best friend/severest critic" role: he plays the character so effectively that one forgets he's essentially a cliché. As for the stars, Al Pacino is ideally cast as Johnny, but Michelle Pfeiffer, superb though she is, seems a bit ill at ease as the emotionally tattered Frankie; she totally wins the audience's hearts, however, in the film's memorable bowling-alley sequence. Smoothing over the rough spots in Frankie and Johnny is the evocative musical score by Marvin Hamlisch. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 57 min.
Directed By: Garry Marshall
Genres: Drama, Romance, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 11, 1991 Wide
On DVD: Dec 4, 2001
Studio: Paramount Home Video

Critic Reviews

Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com
An absolutely delightful and tender romantic comedy. Succeeds so well because of the great, very real performances by the two leads and writer Terrence McNally's smart, often hilarious dialogue.
Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks
An adult vision of two complicated people converging, finding an ointment but not a cure for the ways in which they have been hurt.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
The two A-List actors are definitely on their A game here, erasing most notions of miscasting through the passion of performance.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
watchable
Fred Topel, About.com
Good character study of simple people
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
An okay romantic comedy. A bit on the slow side.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A convincing anatomy of urban loneliness.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Splendid film version of the play. Intelligently done.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Star-power overcomes staginess in this surprisingly warm romance.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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

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Featured Audience Ratings

Wahida K

Nice classic
Anthony L

I love this film, my kind of chick flick! Believable and beautiful.
Leigh R

Adorable.
Panta O

I never had a chance to write anything about this film directed by Garry Marshall before. But after watching after so many years ago I really enjoyed Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer like the first time. It seems that the movie still has the same vibe like when it was originally… More
I never had a chance to write anything about this film directed by Garry Marshall before. But after watching after so many years ago I really enjoyed Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer like the first time. It seems that the movie still has the same vibe like when it was originally released. The title is a reference to the traditional American popular song 'Frankie and Johnny', first published in 1904, which tells the story of a woman who finds her man making love to another woman and shoots him dead... of course nothing like that happens in this movie! Johnny (Pacino) is a middle-aged man, just released from prison who's looking for a job and he's hired as a short-order cook in a local diner where he meets a pretty waitress Frankie... Inspiring love story about ordinary people over forty, who were trying to connect... Michelle Pfeiffer's powerfully subtle acting can tickle the funny bone or pierce the heart with equally uncanny skill and Al Pacino's Johnny is showing a real strong man with pronounced neediness which can be overwhelming at times! Worth watching!
Mike T

One of the most enjoyable, intelligent and well-acted romantic comedies I've ever seen. The themes are unusually potent for a film of this genre, and Pacino and Pfeiffer have a fantastic amount of chemistry.
Marcus W

Pfeiffer is an introverted woman who isn't interested in dating and just wants to watch her VCR. Pacino is a fast-talking ex-con who falls in love with Pfeiffer upon seeing her and then wants to get married and have kids. Pfeiffer agrees to this seemingly because he's so… More
Pfeiffer is an introverted woman who isn't interested in dating and just wants to watch her VCR. Pacino is a fast-talking ex-con who falls in love with Pfeiffer upon seeing her and then wants to get married and have kids. Pfeiffer agrees to this seemingly because he's so damn pushy and won't let her stop and think. I got the whole "love happens" spiel, but Pacino just irritated in this. Good Dick did it so much better and so I strongly recommend that film over this one.
Lee K

not bad for Pacino's first romantic style flick.

Read all 7 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Al Pacino as Johnny

            Michelle Pfeiffer as Frankie

            Hector Elizondo as Nick

            Nathan Lane as Tim

            Kate Nelligan as Cora

            Jane Morris as Nedda

            Greg Lewis as Tino

            Al Fann as Luther

            Ele Keats as Artemis

            Fernando Lopez as Jorge

            Glenn Plummer as Peter

            Tim Hopper as Lester

            Harvey Miller as Mr. Rosen

            Sean O'Bryan as Bobby

            Hope Alexander-Willis as Night Waitress

            Paul Allison as Johnny's Son

            Richard Allison as Johnny's Son

            Bill Applebaum as Baby's Godfather

            Mychael Bates as Flower Driver

            Ashley Baynes as Johnny's Daughter

            Vallery Baynes as Johnny's Daughter

            Gordon Belson as Marlon the Disc Jockey

            Flora Berniker as Flora

            Marvin Braveman as Officer Joe

            Eugenia Bravos as Grandma

            Gena Bravos as Greek Dancer

            Blanche Bronte as Flower Vendor

            Robert Brunner as Accident Driver

            Frank Buxton as Minister

            Karin Calabro as Dental Technician

            K Callan as Frankie's Mother

            Frank Campanella as Retired Customer

            Karen Case Cook as Megaphone Lady

            Lucinda Crosby as Abused Neighbor

            Krista H. Davis as Bus Rider

            Lou Evans as Eating Man

            Bettiann Fishman as Aunt Bette

            Hyman Fishman as Cora's customer

            Diane Frazen as Whispering Customer Marge

            Nick Gambella as Night Busboy

            Ira Glick as Mutzie Calish

            John Goldman as Parking Lot Owner

            Ronny Hallin as Biker Customer

            Calvin Jung as Officer Lee

            Harvey Keenan as Salesman Customer

            Allan Kent as Racetrack Customer

            Diana Kent as Nick's Wife

            Elizabeth Kerr as Senior Citizen Customer

            Shirley Kirks as Greek Dancer

            Joli Lallo as Jorge's Girlfriend

            Phil Leeds as Mr. DeLeon

            Barbara London as Night Waitress

            Bud Markowitz as Juggler Customer

            Barbara Marshall as Helen's Nurse

            Lori Marshall as Party Guest

            Scott A. Marshall as Sidewalk Preacher

            Keith Martell as Party Child

            Kelly McCray as Bus Rider

            Goldie McLaughlin as Waitress Helen

            Shawn McLean as Penny Pitcher

            Barbara Mealy as Night Waitress

            Laurie Metcalf
            
            Jeff Michalski as Seizure Customer

            Barbara Nabozny as Eating Woman

            Marty Nadler as Rude Customer

            Julie Paris as Pregnant Customer

            Dedee Pfeiffer as Frankie's Cousin

            Pricilla Phillips as Snooty Customer

            Laurie Quinn as Pretty Girl Bowler

            Marc Raducci as Cousin's Husband

            Tracy Reiner as Attorney at Party

            Steve Restivo as Night Cook

            Blair Richwood as Bus Rider

            Joy Rosenthal as Snooty Customer

            Shane Ross as Sexy Neighbor

            Al Sapienza as Peter's Roommate

            Mark Scarola as Garment Worker

            Lori Sigrist as Bowling Twin

            Terri Sigrist as Bowling Twin

            Lynn Stalmaster
            
            Lorna Thayer as Flower Vendor

            Paul Tinder as New Husband

            Sophie Von Haselberg as Party Children

            Zachary Weintraub as Handsome Bowler

            Shannon Wilcox as Christine the Hooker

            Dey Young as Johnny's Ex-Wife

            Robert Ball as Haircombing Neighbor

            Richard Gillis as Sexy Neighbor
See full cast