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Benny and Joon (PG, 1993)

common sense media says

Quirky comedy about oddballs is edgy for a PG movie.

parents & educators say
See all 5 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the subject of caring for a mentally ill family member is the focal point of this movie. Joon seems "normal," as Sam remarks to Benny, but she has tantrums, pyromaniac moments, and breakdowns. But Joon is also an adult, and she has adult feelings, which lead to romance with Sam. Whether this romance is appropriate or not supplies some of the edge to the plot of the movie.

Positive messages: The movie is about caring: Benny cares for Joon as her brother, but also as her only family member. Sam cares for Joon, first as a housekeeper and then as a boyfriend. Ruthie cares for everyone in her way, giving tapioca and kindness when it's asked for.
Positive role models: Though Benny is gruff and sometimes a bully, he sets up his life to care for his mentally ill sister. Joon, in her own right, is a free spirit, whose creative energy is expressed everywhere in their home. Sam has special talents, which Benny admires. All of the characters are somehow damaged, but this makes them all the more real.
Violence: Benny is a protective big brother, who roughs up Sam when he hears that Sam and Joon are having a relationship.
Sex: Some steamy kisses and a scene where Joon and Sam are in bed together: no skin is shown, except for their bare calves sticking out of the covers.
Language: Runs the gamut, from "damn" to "s--t" and one instance of the f-word.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Benny and his friends drink beer when they play poker, though no one is shown being intoxicated. Ruthie offers Benny a beer when they have an awkward moment. Benny later says, "I need a beer."
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More on Benny and Joon

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the medication Joon relies on to keep her mental illness in check. These days, prescription drugs are advertised on television and in magazines. How does this effect our view of medicine? When is medication truly necessary? When is it abused? 
  • Benny gets very upset when Joon and Sam admit that they have begun an adult relationship. Why is Benny so upset? Did he think that Joon should not be having sex because of her age or because of her mental illness, or because of the fact that she was not married? 
  • Sam is an adult who cannot read. How can that be? How does illiteracy hinder him? How has he compensated?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Benny (Aidan Quinn) is a mechanic whose adult life is anchored to his sister Joon (Mary Stuart Masterson), a passionate, talented artist who happens to be mentally ill. As Benny notices that opportunities in his life are slipping away, he begins to contemplate sending Joon to a group home. Enter Sam (Johnny Depp), who comes into their lives via a card game, and shows the siblings that his talents for caring for Joon run deeper than anyone expected. When Joon and Sam begin to fall for each other, Benny is furious, causing the two to take drastic steps in order to be together.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Johnny Depp earned a Golden Globe nomination for his incredible physical performance in this movie. And viewers will understand why: his takes on old Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton skits are breathtaking, illustrating how gifted Depp is as a comedian. The life-before-Facebook romance provides a hip but unhurried view of romance in the early '90s. And the world that these quirky characters inhabit is not centered on being popular or cool, but rather being true to themselves. Tweens will love seeing Depp play an illiterate oddball before his Jack Sparrow days. Adult Gen-Xers will appreciate the kind of talent and creativity their peers bring to the screen.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: MGM/UA
Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
Cast: Aidan Quinn, Johnny Depp, Mary Stuart Masterson
Genre: Drama
Run time: 98 minutes
Theatrical release: January 9, 1993
DVD release: January 9, 2001
MPAA Rating: PG
This review was written by Joly Herman
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

Themaxieriddle
parent of 17 year old
2
 
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (9) | read my mind (8)
BestPicture1996
teen, 16 years old
9
 
A truly great love story
Some people could find it hard to watch at times, but the performances are great, the storyline is decent enough, but what shines is Depp's slapstick comedy, something I've never seen him do before besides mildly in "Scissorhands." You'll regret not seeing this little masterpiece.
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beatlesgeek25
kid, 13 years old
10
 
I loved it, but not for younger kids :\
I just saw this movie a few days ago and fell in love with it. Johnny Depp has always been my favorite actor, and Benny and Joon is now one of my favorite movies-- I've already seen it 4 times! Even coming from a 12 (turning 13 next month) year old girl, the movie was amazing, but there were a few scenes that made me a bit uncomfortable and I was thinking, "Is this really PG?" For example, Benny did drink beer in a lot of scenes. Also, many characters did say "s---" a lot, in a few variations. Also the F word was used once. Finally, the part I really don't like talking about-- the kissing. I mean, it's fine at first, but then it gets worse and worse, probably leaving kids 11 and younger with their jaws dropped. There's no nudity or anything,(Thank God) but it still gets a bit... awkward. It probably isn't the kind of stuff you'd want to show to kids 9 and under. Anything else with this movie is fine. I really recommend it for kids about my age, a year younger and a lot older. It really is great! :)
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Sarah Grace
adult
15
 
Could've Been Much Better
Would've really liked this movie, had it not been for the fornication scene. Sam and Joon should have gotten married, sadness:( And the language was too, I don't know, full of mild curses? Plus an f- word :P Not cool....
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Yo miles
kid, 8 years old
8
 
My brothers think it's called Betty and Jude
Johnny Depp
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