MY COUSIN VINNY AT 30

My top five lawyer movies are “Anatomy of a Murder,”  “A Few Good Men,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “The Verdict” and “My Cousin Vinny.”  The first four are intense dramas, while MCV is hilarious.  But it belongs on the list I think because it contains in many respects the most accurate courtroom depictions of the bunch.  I know people remember the “you can’t handle the truth” scene from A Few Good Men, but the truth is, it’s tough to get a witness to completely lose their minds on cross examination.  I know. I’ve tried.  What is more realistic, however, is getting the witness on cross to admit one or two damning points.  Watch this scene or this scene  and you will see a masterful cross exam – concise, to the point and an absence of unnecessary questions.  I am on the faculty of an annual trial practice seminar, and I routinely recommend MCV to the young lawyers.

Anyway, I saw this oral history of MCV and thought it was worth recommending to my readers.  It’s a great read, full of nuggets about how the movie came together.  Great stuff. Enjoy!