Sorry, this movie sucks

Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

I hadn't seen any Jeremiah S. Chechik's job before, but this one is more than good. I gave 9,because some movie's moments were a little bit too long. First seconds of the movie told me that movie will be very interesting and good. That soundtrack was used perfectly, it fixed my mood immediately, because it's very feel-good and fun. Johnny Depp performed excellent - as always. His character was super weird, but cute and lovely too. Sam and I have something in common. I envisaged a parallel between us. We both love old movies. Person (me too) is always satisfied when he see something in common between characters and himself. Sam I liked the most not even because I like Johnny Depp, but because he's the most dramatic personality in all movie and he acts very natural. Super. Actually, I have never seen something like this movie - I mean story and plot. A masterpiece which should be know all people who love watching very good movies. I recommend.

At the heart of 'Benny & Joon' is the story of Joon, a mentally ill young woman, and her older brother Benny, who takes constant care of her and, while complaining about how much that complicates his life, actually uses the obligation as an excuse for the fact that his own life is going nowhere. It's a story that's simple, realistic and painfully honest. It could have made for a touching little drama if only Chechik made a clean decision that that's what the film is about.Unfortunately, 'Benny & Joon's biggest asset is also its undoing, and that is the wonderful and charismatic performance of young Johnny Depp. Depp enters the scene almost halfway through as Joon's love interest, the mentally unbalanced but extremely charming Sam who chooses to model his personality (or lack thereof) on silent comedy stars Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. Sam swoops Joon off her feet and disrupts the delicate balance of the siblings' relationship, which forces Benny to face up and decide whether he can let Joon go or not. Depp is terrific in his role; in one extended scene where he showcases his slapstick abilities he proves just how much of a screen personality he was and why he became one of the most bankable movie stars of the 90's. The problem is that he's so charismatic that he can easily fool the audience (and often does) that Sam is a romantic hero rather than a disruptive, chaotic presence; that this is the love story of Joon and Sam, rather than the story of Benny and his coming to terms with his own life decisions. What's worse, Depp's charisma emphasizes just how pale and unimpressive Aidan Quinn is in the role that should have been the lead.It's not a bad film; it's a pretty and touching little drama, wonderfully scripted. On the other hand, Depp's scenes are a pleasure to behold. But the contrast between the two is what ultimately makes it a failure. It doesn't help that Chechik can't quite make up his mind about how seriously he's taking Joon's mental illness, which is played for laughs a bit too often.

The part for Johnny Depp was tailor-made. As a Buster Keaton look-alike and showing amazing talents, Depp would go on to a career with strong performances as way-out characters. This film is no exception.A very challenged mentally ill woman finds love with the Depp character. Her protective brother can't see it until he realizes that he also has a life to live-in this case with Julianne Moore.The film proves that mentally challenged people can find happiness under certain circumstances. If possible, they must be given the freedom to pursue this.Moore is excellent in the role as the mentally challenged woman. Her total breakdown on the bus was a scene of rare quality.As the brother, Aidan Quinn is totally sympathetic in the part.There are certainly comical breaks in this challenging film.

Today "Benny and Joon", a 1993 romantic comedy, is mostly remembered for an oddball performance by actor Johnny Depp, who plays a young man with a fondness for impersonating silent Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton routines. Depp can't touch Chaplin or Keaton, but his character is at times heartwarming. Depp fangals adore the film, particularly the way Depp risks life and limb for his woman, sticking by her side no matter what. The ladies love it.The film features an early performance by the always interesting Julianne Moore. Like Depp's character, hers is a meta-roll, Moore a good actress playing a bad actress who gave up bad acting to be a good waiter. Most of the film is filler, but Moore and Depp elevate things. Depp would make a career out of playing oddball characters.7.9/10 – Worth one viewing. See "They Might Be Giants" and "A Thousand Clowns".