‘My Cousin Vinny’ Makes Light of the Trial Process THE GREATEST LAW COMEDY EVER
The courtroom is no place for April Fools’ Day pranks, but the legal profession isn’t entirely without levity. Sometimes, when the stress of a case builds up, a little laughter can be the perfect thing to cut the tension and raise everyone’s spirits. Unsurprisingly, most representations of the law in movies focus on the more somber aspects of the justice system. But sprinkled in among the dramas and documentaries is the occasional comedy that makes light of a world with a surplus of seriousness. The gold standard for legal comedies is, without question, 1992’s “My Cousin Vinny.”
The movie’s humor arises from the tension between small- town and big-city personalities, as well as Vinny’s unorthodox courtroom style. The interactions between Vinny and his fiancee, Mona Lisa Vito (Tomei), are particularly uproarious. Even when they’re not in court, these two can’t help but cross-examine one another. It certainly isn’t the most accurate representation of a trial you’ll ever see on film, but “My Cousin Vinny” does offer a few interesting insights into the legal process. Chief among them is the importance of cross-examination. Testimony is often considered some of the strongest evidence in a case. Vinny’s bullish desire to uncover the truth shows that some testimony, whether from a supposed expert or first-hand witness, can’t stand up to rigorous analysis. When you sit down to watch a movie, sometimes all you’re looking for is a couple hours to unwind and laugh. “My Cousin Vinny” delivers that in spades, with some valid legal commentary to boot. Lawyers may not be the funniest people in the world, but we still have a sense of humor!
Featuring Joe Pesci at the peak of his powers and an Oscar- winning turn from Marisa Tomei, the movie has lost
none of its punch since its release. The plot centers around two New Yorkers wrongfully accused of and put on trial for murder. The lawyer they hire, Vinny Gambini (Pesci), happens to be the cousin of one of the men accused, hence the movie’s title. He’s wildly inexperienced but brings a unique set of skills to the courtroom.
Pasta With Turkey and Broccoli This simple, delicious recipe only takes 20 minutes from start to finish. It’s also a great way to encourage kids to eat their broccoli. The next time you make pasta, leave the canned sauce in the pantry and make this instead!
INGREDIENTS
• 3/4 pound pasta (shells or orecchiette) • 2 cups broccoli florets • 3 tablespoons olive oil • 1 pound ground turkey DIRECTIONS 1. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Add broccoli when pasta is 1 minute from done. Drain both and return to pot. 2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium- high heat. Add the turkey, garlic, crushed red pepper,
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper • Salt • Parmesan cheese
and a pinch of salt. Cook while breaking up meat with a wooden spoon for 3–5 minutes. 3. Combine turkey with pasta and broccoli mixture, adding the remaining olive oil as you stir. Serve in bowls topped with Parmesan cheese.
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(Recipe inspired by realsimple.com)
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