Real Lawyer Reacts to My Cousin Vinny (The Most Accurate Legal Comedy?)

[@LegalEagle]

Seriously, guys. If you're thinking about a suit, I can't recommend Indochino enough. bit.ly/2IeeB8W (plus it helps out the channel)

[@brendansully12]

Just in time for my birthday

[@thisinhumanplace2037]

LegalEagle you should give advice for youtubers on fair use because it is clear you know how to employ it correctly.

[@day.jedi1]

U should do the trial scene from the flash season 4

[@brendansully12]

@@thisinhumanplace2037 Great Suggestion

[@AnonymousFrogNG]

No shit.

[@tylertilwick6852]

The misunderstanding between Vinny and the Judge about the two "youts" was actually a real conversation between Joe Pesci and the director. The director, who was British, had a hard time understanding Pesci's thick New York accent. The director decided that the routine was funny and put it in the film.

[@richhutnik2477]

I hope that lead to lines being added to the script.

[@Arch3an]

Genius decision to add that, lol. Never knew that.

[@ggmanmd]

I object. It was the Director who had more of an accent. Vinny is more at home than the Director.

[@johnhsconiers3308]

Right

[@madonnahood3381]

One of the funniest scenes in the film.

[@chillsahoy2640]

When Gambini falls asleep at the table, I always think "The defence is...resting"

[@isaacgleeth3609]

Still a better use of that joke than in Rob Reiner's flop North.

[@hardcoredoom5892]

"I know where I'm resting! I'm resting!"

[@davidmiller849]

Restin!? Here you’re restin!? BING POW BOOM! You’re a funny guy! Heh heh

[@jiggz1485]

Waka waka waka

[@subulaji1]

Resting? Hea you resting?

[@mikecarroll8659]

I like that they avoided the clichéd trope of the devious antagonist prosecutor who will lie and cheat their way to winning the case - the prosecutor was portrayed as a fair minded gentleman who’s just doing his job to the best of his ability and when clear exculpatory evidence is provided, immediately and happily drops all charges. Same for the judge and the sheriff.

[@jamesteegardner2273]

100% agree! The whole police delartment right up to the Prosecuter were all just running off a bad case of mistaken identity and coincidence. They honestly thought that they had the right guys, and I remember in one scene the Prosecuter even said that he wished that he had the murder weapon but other than that, he felt extremely good about his case. It was definitely the right way to go, and it made the movie all the better for it. Like you said, the whole antagonistic Prosecuter thing had been done to death, even in the early 90s when this movie came out. They definitely went with the right choice. They didn't even beat the whole North vs South thing to death.

[@carlrevans]

One of my favorite points as well.

[@howieziegler3110]

Not so much a trope as it is real life. The incentive based justice system in this country needs a lot of changes. Prosecutors and detectives will lie, cheat and steal to gain a conviction or an arrest. And the worst will do it to people they know are 100% innocent and not lose a minute of sleep over it.

[@JJ-qo7th]

@@jamesteegardner2273 Well, the cops were definitely part of the problem. The guy who was being sarcastic and said, "I killed the clerk?!?" got transcribed as a confession and read off as a confession.

[@Zoken44]

Yeah, I like fantasy stories too.

[@Aesir47]

My father in law is a retired judge. We spent Christmas at his house and I got him to watch this movie. Never seen him laugh that hard and i think he might hate me slightly less now

[@hommefataltaemin]

Aww I’m sure he doesn’t hate you!!

[@RedKincaid]

@@hommefataltaemin They probably know their father-in-law's feelings better than you do, considering you've never met them. It sucks but sometimes people don't like each other even if they're family

[@CommanderBravo2]

a retired judge as a father in law? couldnt have been fun the first time you met them XD

[@voxlknight2155]

@@RedKincaid Real fun at parties, aren't ya? Somebody says something sweet, and you have to be an ass?

[@jeffb5785]

Ha Ha Ha Ha

[@Mythmaker12687]

Objection! The best line of the movie was not included. "That was a lucid, intelligent, well-thought-out objection. Overruled."

[@mxslick50]

Sustained. I really wanted to hear the real lawyer's thoughts on that. IMHO, ALL of the points Vinny raised were valid and Judge should not have overruled it.

[@Xxxxxx2x]

Objection. Although Vinny had a great argument, the Judge has the final say. Vinny did well by taking his licks and not talking back to the Judge.

[@masonsilvers6789]

@@Xxxxxx2x it is overrule, not objection. -me, not a lawyer, but knowing it from this channel.

[@katymvt]

@@Xxxxxx2x The judge does have the final say, but if he rules incorrectly on an objection, he opens up the verdict for an appeal.

[@sfen2405]

You are RIGHT!imo

[@theknightswhosay]

I watched this with my grandfather, who was an attorney. He didn’t think Marissa Tomei was a real actress. He thought they just found a woman in Brooklyn and brought her to the set.

[@eleni1968]

Fun Fact: Marissa Tomei is really born and raised in Brooklyn, NY; her mom was a High School English teacher in NYC Public Schools and worked on her daughter's diction so she would not sound like "MonaLisa Vito" all her life. Though Marissa Tomei does conjure the accent when needed;

[@robd1329]

I thought the same. Any woman could have playes the part

[@KalEL224]

@@robd1329 not really considering she won an academy award for this role.

[@soundbreak7]

@@robd1329 LOL NOT !!!!

[@ZACHANDJACKSZACHSMAFIA]

Well she is right? -JACK thinks she did a so/so job right? Not bad nor good just enough to be a bad good movie or a good bad movie idk the way the saying goes

[@traceyreid4585]

Marissa won an oscar for her performance in this film. First time I watched this I was hanging on her every word... She sold that character with such believability! Fantastic acting

[@elisa.r.g]

“It’s cawlled disclosha ya d*ckhead”

[@dash3693]

@@elisa.r.g I love her accent in that movie. It was enough to make me want to move from the UK to NYC

[@davidr5658]

@Greg Elchert so the say, but her performance in this movie is perhaps the greatest acting performance ever put to film - ok, well maybe just one of my personal favorites.

[@soundman1402]

Hehe, let's not forget about the "BAM! A f*ckin' bullet rips off paht a ya head!" scene!

[@KalEL224]

@Greg Elchert anyone who says that doesn’t know how the voting for the academy awards works.

[@edeledeledel5490]

Marisa Tomei in the witness box is an absolute tour de force. I never fail to enjoy her scenes.

[@petersdotter1]

I loved her unabashed accent, delivered with conviction and authority, but in a lingo that people in the South, among other places, would not associate with expertise.

[@presw2pw123]

It's... a FACT!

[@larrypass6720]

She won an Oscar for this performance.

[@arvistardok]

She may have been good in the scene but most guys in the south would have put her in to noncredible because of saying posi-track is limited slip. Limited slip is a standard drive train where one wheel stops and goes. posi-tack is a full drive system with both go all the time. She explained how limited slip works on the standard one but used limited slip as part of the posi-track one. Making it look like she don't know anything about cars.

[@sultanabran1]

she's good in a all scenes in all her movies. she's great.

[@jax422]

“Do the laws of physics not apply in your kitchen?” after the grits testimony is my favorite line to quote of all time.

[@somethinginterestingprobab6519]

Well the laws of physics seize to exist on your stove. Were those magic grits? Did you buy them from the same guy who sold Jack,....

[@badandy102]

Am i to believe water boils in your kitchen faster than anywhere else?

[@antbojo]

Thumbs up #100

[@youcancallmefunk4745]

I'm just a fast cook I guess

[@thewanderingmistnull2451]

@@badandy102 The temperature water boils at depends on altitude (more specifically, the air pressure at a given altitude)! So, yes, it can in fact boil faster in one place than another.

[@thebaccathatchews]

So what you're saying is, Joe Pesci's character needed...a law suit?

[@periodic98]

The Bacca That Chews thats beautiful

[@101falcon]

I'M FREAKING WHEEZING 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@MrUndersolo]

Objection! Dad joke...?

[@frankdelgrosso8297]

Ba dam bum tish

[@sfen2405]

Now That is "Funny"!

[@lifebybill1326]

"I don't like your attitude!" "What else is new." "I'm holding you in contempt of court." "OH.... there's a fuckin' surprise!" God , I love everything and every character in this masterpiece!!

[@90sNickfan91]

“What did you just say?”

[@lifebybill1326]

@@90sNickfan91 "what was word?" "Did you say utes?" "Yeah utes!" "What's a ute??"

[@90sNickfan91]

@@lifebybill1326 Oh, excuse me, your Honor. Two Youuuthhs.

[@angeljones11]

Like Iago in Aladdin... "oh THERE'S a big surprise! That's an incredible - I think I'm gonna have a heart attack and die from not surprise."

[@thenightporter]

Sounds like what I was thinking when I was about 15 and my dad was lecturing me back in the good ol' 80s. 😂

[@mr.dr.kaiser4912]

Ended up watching My Cousin Vinny thanks to this video. One detail I really loved was one of the defendants asked "I shot him?" when he found out they were arrested for murder and not tuna theft. Later, in one of the hearings, the sheriff testified that the defendant said "I shot him," in the form of a statement, not a question. Really went to show how evidence can be twisted to fit a certain narrative and how both lawyers fight each other to make sure their narrative is the one accepted by the jury.

[@EndlessSummer888]

A perfect example of "anything you say can and will be used against you."

[@icp7201]

@@EndlessSummer888 Also a perfect example of why you should never speak to cops, even if you are 100% innocent. Cops aren't looking to find the real perpetrator, they are looking for a clearance in their stats

[@Texas240]

Happens in real life. Happened to a friend. Never talk to police without an attorney. They are trying to close a case and don't necessarily care if they got the right person.

[@madcal33]

I think that scene was another example of an accent being misunderstood, not the cop trying to twist words. If you watch it again, Ralph does the classic New York inflection on the question, which is to say there was none. The sheriff actually did think he was confessing because that's what it sounded like to him, and then they were interrupted. The sheriff did care about getting the right guys because he tracked down the real culprits at the end when Vinny had no time and testified about it.

[@testodude]

The phrasing of the question from Bill Gambini was even more specific and damning. He said "I shot the clerk?"

[@mu7282]

Fun fact: the director, Johnathan Lynn is English and was having a conversation with Joe Pesci during a pre production meeting when Joe said "the two utes" and utterly confused the director. Once he clarified "youths" the director said, "that's going in the movie." Best line was an adlib. Heard this from the director on the Gibert Gottfried podcast.

[@tomchaudo]

Ute is an Native American tribe. Tribe members are called Utes. University of Utah sports teams are called the "Utes".

[@shieldmaiden1682]

who knew! Thanks for the fun fact :)

[@SsnakeBite]

And now I want to hear this scene with Gilbert Gottfried.

[@MrYfrank14]

knew a woman from Oklahoma. she couldn't pronounce the HA sound. Hailstorm became hell storm and whale became well.

[@josephlukies8124]

@@tomchaudo Here in Australia we have utility vehicles, or utes, which are like little pickup trucks

[@The9393114]

"You were *SERIOUS* about that?" -- Most epic legal statement ever

[@joseph_b319]

I say that to my boss when he asks me when or why i didn't do something.

[@tcos332]

Agreed! What I love is after he says it is that it doesn’t cut to the Judge’s reaction, but straight to him on the prison bus again 😂 Also the dialogue between him and Stan on the bus, about going to trial is a great follow up scene. Just a good film all around

[@The9393114]

@@tcos332 ABSOLUTELY! One of the greatest comedies ever.

[@robertszekely8686]

I love the expression on Joe Pesci's face when he said that.

[@ChrisThomson-y7l]

That was the first laugh out loud moment of the movie for me

[@markrichards9646]

I’d like to acknowledge Fred Gwynne as the Judge. He has a special place in my heart for all the years that he played Herman Munster which I thoroughly enjoyed as a child. RIP.

[@oncerand_directioner]

It was kind of bittersweet for me when I found out this was Fred's last movie

[@kenw.1112]

Yes! He played the judge exceptionally well. He made it look like he was a real judge.

[@YouTubeallowedmynametobestolen]

And "Car 54" before the Munsters. But that was even a little bit before my time--probably yours too.

[@AFmedic]

@@KZbinallowedmynametobestolen In Car 54, Fred Gwynne's partner was played by Al Lewis who also played Grandpa in the Munsters. I'm 71, so I was 11 when Car 54 first aired in 1961. Loved the show.

[@YouTubeallowedmynametobestolen]

@@AFmedic "Fred Gwynne's partner was played by Al Lewis who also played Grandpa in the Munsters." That's right, I had forgotten that!

[@Shelley7526]

Objection! You didn’t show Marissa Tomei absolutely own the prosecutor when he questioned her about the correct ignition timing of a 1955 Bellaire Chevrolet with a 327 cubic engine and a 4-barrel carburetor. 😂

[@fionam7768]

Got to save something for when they watch it themselves, or they'll accuse him of spoiling the movie

[@aranahjohnson9640]

oh nooo, why did you write that comment, now the movie is spoiled! xD

[@LLawlietisdead]

Oh no 😮 a 32 year old movie was spoiled😂 I'm outraged BY the people who haven't seen it yet.😁

[@PuddilyOops]

@@LLawlietisdeadyou missed the XD which is the same as 😁

[@LLawlietisdead]

@@PuddilyOops edited to fix

[@newmoon766]

Trials are like essays. As I was taught once: "Tell them what you're going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you told them."

[@lancasterritzyescargotdine2602]

moon I learned that doctrine in a college course in public speaking.

[@johnbrobston1334]

@@lancasterritzyescargotdine2602 I learned it from a US Marine Corps gunnery sergeant.

[@marydestefano9487]

I don't think it's good in an essay to "tell what you just told." That's repetitive.

[@johnbrobston1334]

@@marydestefano9487 At the beginning you summarize the points you are going to make. Then you make the points in the main body of the essay. Then at the end you summarize the points that you made.

[@newmoon766]

@@marydestefano9487 Just saying what a high school teacher told us. But my interpretation is, "Here's the takeaway." (Some people's attention span is like a fruit fly.)😴😏

[@jhamilton07]

I was always really impressed with how Vinny handled the 3rd eye witness (not shown in the video). She was a sweet old lady and Vinny was very nice to her, super respectful and didn't make her out to be a bad person. Only someone who probably over estimated her own abilities and he politely pointed it out.

[@destroyerinazuma96]

@Eddie 5 agreed. The prosecutor was doing his job. And he was fulfilling all obligations. The last second expert was a bit of a d move but still legal. But he was never after Joe Pesci, he was after the truth.

[@ericjamieson]

@Eddie 5 Do we ever find out who the real killers are? I think maybe it's at most just mentioned incidentally toward the end.

[@SunnysFilms]

@@ericjamieson Just that they're two guys who matched the defendants' description with the murder weapon driving a stolen Pontiac Tempest, as described by Marissa Tomei.

[@jaysmith1408]

SunnysFilms arrested by sheriff so and so, who was actually the sheriff of the jurisdiction of filming, who was a major help to the production.

[@Razorgeist]

Yep from a human standpoint the movie is surprisingly positive.

[@loreendekort9551]

objection: they got away with stealing the can of tuna. they were only charged with the murder

[@susanmaggiora4800]

Loreen de Kort I hope they enjoyed that can of tuna😏

[@samuelvincent557]

@@susanmaggiora4800 Most likely it's still sitting in evidence lockup. And it'll probably stay there until the zombie apocalypse and wandering scavengers will find it.

[@samuelvincent557]

That would actually be a pretty cool easter egg in Fallout.

[@cripplehawk]

Objection Overruled. Their time in prison during their murder trial will be counted as time serve under Class A misdemeanor under 13A-8-5. Since the value of the can of tuna is well under $500 and is unintentional (Third degree shoplifting). A potential max sentence of 1 full year is unwarranted.

[@michaeloickle8021]

Later the can, turns up at auction for a million dollars ...and the one who buys gets arrested for life

[@CR3W1SH03S]

My manager had an insurance inspection one year and in the warehouse, the inspector asked him to change the shelving on some of the storage racks for fire code purposes. Fast forward one year and the inspector is back and they do another walk-trough, this time with my manager and the president of the company. The inspector again brings up the shelving which was not fixed, and without missing a beat he says, "you were serious about that?" I thought the president was going to die.

[@TheAzureNightmare]

"The Two Yutes..." "The Two Hwat...?" Mispronunciation in North and South, everyone.

[@MrSlowestD16]

Yeah they really did a great job with that, I laugh every time they have that exchange.

[@MrSlowestD16]

@John Molloy That's only what some people say. I've heard it from people not just in the South, but it's also not the norm.

[@joeyd614]

Iconic

[@TheIntimateAvenger]

@John Molloy I have never heard anyone ever pronounce what that way.

[@BeardyBaldyBob]

@@TheIntimateAvenger It's actually quite common in certain areas of Scotland to pronounce it that way.

[@jreagle18]

My Cousin Vinny is actually part of the curriculum in a majority of law schools as it is a great example of the flaws of eyewitness testimony and demonstrates tactful cross-examination.

[@raven4k998]

your not a dish your a man stop marinating your man meat

[@testodude]

@@raven4k998 that's good legal advice.

[@Isthatthegrimreaper170]

We watched this movie in my high school law class and it was almost enough to make me wanna be a lawyer

[@phantommangagirl]

My sister had multiple professors show it.

[@ajwelsh3191]

I’m glad Vinny was able to help those two yutes.

[@nathanmckenzie904]

What is a yute? 😂

[@ironrose6]

I was thinking Utah Utes.

[@killertruth186]

Lol.

[@shavashchannel]

Woah! Spoiler alert!😂😂

[@ericbeilmann3649]

They must have gone to the University of Utah (that's spelled Utes though).

[@timbuktu8069]

I like that when he talks about the cooking time of grits he goes over to the jury as if "you and I know how long it takes". The jury becomes "the grit eating world".

[@Hollis_has_questions]

Yes, the difference between regular and instant grits is like the Grand Canyon 😂 I was born in Brooklyn but have lived exactly two-thirds of my 69 years in the South. Instant grits is a cardinal sin to a true Southerner. 20-minute grits with butter on top, next to over-easy or sunny side-up eggs, bacon, and (in my case) rye toast (to plunge into runny yolks) is one of the Great Breakfasts, alongside a Full English and Turkish Çilbir ❤❤❤😊😊😊

[@jackthorton10]

Truly a tradition worth keeping alive

[@gatesurfer]

@@Hollis_has_questions That’s why I think this guy’s statement that this was a risky question to ask without laying proper foundation was wrong. Vinny knew the jury members all ate grits and would know how long it took to cook them. Just like Mona Lisa knew that everyone in the jury had at some point been stuck in the mud after a rainstorm on dirt roads in her explanation of a limited slip differential. What I always wanted to know was whether her explanation why the Tempest was the only car that could have made those skid marks was accurate - having the necessary power, the slip differential, the independent rear suspension, color, tire size - but then also the similarities with the car that actually was used in the crime. Must have been a lot of research that went into finding cars that had those specs.

[@langaidin]

⁠@@gatesurferNo, there are 3 problems with her testimony. The biggest is that the ‘64 Skylark WAS available with a limited slip differential. You can sort of handwave that away because it was optional, and when Mona Lisa says it wasn’t available in the ‘64 Buick Skylark, she gestures at the defendants. So maybe she meant it wasn’t available on THEIR Skylark (I.e., the combination of options they have). And it is true that the ‘64 Skylark was not available with an independent rear suspension, so that alone is enough to prove the tire marks weren’t made by a ‘64 Skylark. The 2nd problem is that the ‘63 Tempest WASN’T available with a LSD. So it couldn’t have been the car that made the tire marks either (unless someone installed an after-market LSD, but that’s clearly not what she is implying). Of course, just proving that the defendants’ car couldn’t make the tire marks is enough to prove they’re innocent. But the local detectives may have gone looking for the wrong car… The final problem is that even though the ‘63 Tempest couldn’t have made the tire marks, there is another car that could have. The ‘62(?) Chevy Corvair Turbo. The Corvair doesn’t really look like the ‘64 Skylark, but it’s much closer than the Corvette, and considering all the problems with the eye witnesses seeing the car, maybe that’s what it really was. The screenwriter said that a high school friend of his was at the premiere and mentioned the Corvair after watching the movie, but the screenwriter was like “well, nobody else is going to know that.” Ahh, the times before the internet brought out every trivial piece of knowledge known by anyone ever 😂 BTW, the screenwriter said that he did no research on cars for the movie. It all came from his own knowledge of cars from working in them when he was a “yute.” He was sort of a real life Mona Lisa Vito (although maybe without the ticking biological clock).

[@gatesurfer]

@@langaidin Interesting. I was born in 1957, so I have vague memories of cars back then, but I remember the Corvair was a rear-engine car and was pretty cool looking. But then Ralph Nader effectively killed it saying it was dangerous to drive. But then I took an auto shop class in high school and the teacher saying it was a good car, you just had to know how to drive it. He said something like "the rear wheels steer the car." At any rate, I don't think could have been mistaken for Tempest either. I think my uncle even had one, but got rid of it after Nader made a stink about it. We listened to him back then. They probably used the Corvette in the movie because everyone knows what a Corvette looks like even after all these years. Only us old timers remember the Corvair. I also was certain when during the "vore dire" of Mona Lisa that the Hemi would not have been available in 1955, so I knew that was a trick question. The prosecution had their own automotive expert in court to rebut her testimony, and he didn't know all this either. Anyway, I think we can both agree on one thing: We all would love to meet Marisa Tomei, yes?

[@manenkoff]

Awww, you skipped one of the best scenes where Marisa's character proves why she's an "acceptable" witness to give automotive testimony.

[@me3333]

I know I'd like to "voir dire" Ms. Tomei in my private chambers

[@susanmaggiora4800]

me3333 Oh god yes!

[@SjofnBM1989]

@@me3333 that's really innapropriate

[@scottwpilgrim]

@@SjofnBM1989 not if he didn't know that he just invited Marissa Tomei to have a "look and talk," which is what "voir dire" actually means in french. It's actually kinda sweet.

[@scottwpilgrim]

@@SjofnBM1989 now that I've watched My Cousin Vinny, I now know that it's a line from the movie. The prosecutor was definitely a scuzzy horndog.

[@jk3dad]

I was a juror in a criminal case a few years ago when a witness claimed to have seen a car through her window 400 feet away. The problem was, she said she saw the car at 5:30 AM during January - kinda dark out. But the hilarious part is that a satellite photo showed a line of trees between blocking her view.

[@r.p.8906]

satellite photos could be 4-8 years old

[@jk3dad]

@@r.p.8906 that would have made it even harder to see - if the trees were still standing. Either way there was not a chance she could have seen much from that distance at that time of the morning. Plus the parking lot had no lighting.

[@DBCOOPER888]

@@jk3dad did the cross examination go similar to this scene?

[@erikjrn4080]

@@r.p.8906 Sure. They could also have been of a different place, altogether. Or not actually photos, but child drawings. All sorts of things are possible, until you have documentation that it's not. The thing is, though, that we can safely assume that such documentation was provided to the court, and that the pictures would've been challenged, if there was any weakness in the documentation. If the court accepted that the satellite photos showed this, it's incredibly likely that this is what the satellite photos showed. Consequently, we don't have to agonize and speculate on it, but can just accept it as a given premise.

[@MrSirwolf2001]

Evergreen or Deciduous trees? How tall? Location? There is so much here to question still. You indicated that 5:30 am in January would be dark out so in those locations, typically any deciduous trees would be leafless. If they are tall trees it is very possible that the lowest branches still might not be in the line of vision and block anything at all. Is there a street light? Porch lights? ...the 400 feet ....is she a binocular wielding neighborhood busybody?

[@johngrey1074]

The director of this movie has a law degree from Cambridge, so it's not surprising that he made it pretty accurate.

[@mrtomas0990]

The defendent 'Rothstein' could only get Vinny and a public defence lawyer. Realism right there lol

[@annettegenovesi]

wowohwow!!! Fascinating!!!

[@dalelauner1965]

Hardly. The screenplay was written long before the director was attached. The writer took many meeting with a high school friend named Doug Knoll - who was a litigator at the time (and ended up as a Deputy Attorney General of California). The director did not seem to care what was and wasn't proper in a courtroom - for instance the scene where Vinny seems to be paraphrasing his objection (like he memorized it from someplace, but there is never explained in the script because it was never in the original script) and the judge says that was a "lucid and well-thought out argument" (or something like that) and then overrules it without explanation? That would have appeared unnecessarily prejudicial as well as just being dicky - and the case could be re-tried on appeal. Stupid for a judge to do that. This little moment was not in the original screenplay and would have have been approved by the screenwriter BECAUSE it wasn't accurate. So while you might think Mr. Lynn's law degree was helpful - it seemed to have little effect on the movie. Also, laws are different in the U.K. - procedure especially. You can't object, you don't approach the bench etc. - all things that happen in the unproduced sequel to My Cousin Vinny.

[@johngrey1074]

@@dalelauner1965 Wow, it's very cool and humbling to be corrected by the guy who actually wrote the screenplay!!! Thanks for sharing that interesting background information -- and for creating the script for one of my favorite movies. (I also love Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.)

[@this_is_patrick]

@@johngrey1074 I don't think it's _the_ Dale Launer, despite his screen name. I mean, if he was Dale Launer, why would he refer to himself in the third person (using "the writer; screenwriter") instead of using first person pronouns?

[@TheRubberDuck77]

What I recently learned about the expert witness scene with Marissa that made it even bettter for me and probably helps with the good score. Vinny is supposed to have been an ex mechanic too and the moment when he looks at the picture then calls Marissa to the stand, he already knows THEN what she is going to say, that's why he gave such exact request to the sheriff. BUT since he is the lawyer he can't also be an expert witness, he needs to separate witness to get the info into evidence.... and time to stall for the Sheriff to run down the info

[@fionam7768]

First rule of trial lawyering: *never* ask a question you don't already know the answer to

[@ZergrushEddie]

I LOVE the look of shock and disbelief from Pesci: “you were *serious* ‘bout that?!”

[@SteveDice21]

you was*

[@Robynhoodlum]

So serious he got sent to jail twice!

[@pherasabraxas]

"It's called disclosure ya dickhead." Every time I hear that line, I crack up. Her testimony at the end was great. I see why she won an Oscar for her character.

[@SRosenberg203]

Everything about Marissa Tomei in this movie is perfect. Her accent is like the best accent of all time lol

[@DiGiTyDarKMaN]

My favorite line of hers is about the deer in the motel. The movie slays me everytime.

[@YTDeepshock]

I really like the ways that his inexperience with trial actually matters, and the ways he eventually deals with that challenge.

[@kimmywimmy7305]

She’s fabulous!

[@TheDreadedRearAdmiral]

"Everything that guy just said is BS. Thank you". In the words of Mr. Spock, "Colloquially expressed, but essentially correct".

[@jonaskromwell4464]

Fascinating.

[@kenkarish826]

Teal'c "Indeed".

[@mxslick50]

LOL I just had a hearing for a protection order I was granted, and one of the respondant's (person the order is against) witnesses told some real whoppers during her questioning. I so wanted to use that line, but I was watching the judge closely during her testimony and could see that he saw through her lies. (And me saying that would have had me in contempt, which would have guaranteed a dismissal of my petition.)

[@SniffHeinkel]

@@mxslick50 Was her name Dorothy Denby?

[@mxslick50]

@@SniffHeinkel LOL Nope. but she is a "See You Next Tuesday" on wheels. Her and her partner are going to both end up in jail soon.

[@Xmeromotu]

I clerked for the Alabama Supreme Court just a year or two after the movie was released. Justice Hugh Maddox, who wrote the book on the Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure used in the movie, was really tickled and very pleased that they used his book in the movie, as are all of the lawyers who love the movie. It is so much better and more accurate than most lawyer shows and movies, and using the real book that all Alabama lawyers would consult for criminal procedure questions shows the lengths to which they went to ensure as much legal accuracy as possible. 👍👍

[@catherinehubbard1167]

That’s good to hear. This movie shows multiple layers of respect to the legal profession, to lawyers, to the law itself, to women who are experts in “men’s jobs.” Respect for the movie project they were creating. The result was not only more accurate than most movies with legal themes, it became a beloved classic.

[@threenorns3]

oooooh, i am SO JEALOUS!

[@AngryNerdBird]

Mona's expert testimony is the best part of the whole movie, because she's absolutely brilliant and Vinny is SUCH a wife guy. He is positively giddy and hangs on her every word. The way they go back and forth is even echoing the alway they flirt earlier in the film when she talks about how she fixed the sink. 😂💜

[@alicethemad1613]

AND it parallels Trotter trying to discredit her as a witness earlier being very condescending and misogynistic because she doesn’t “look” like she’d know anything about cars. And Vinny knows that even though she doesn’t want to be called as a witness she doesn’t take being underestimated and will dive into an argument and always win. And that gets her invested in proving the prosecution wrong. While he’s questioning her Vin has this big smile on his face because he’s almost lightly ribbing her since he knows she knows her stuff, and she knows he knows so she’s smiling back too. It just shows how well he knows her and how much he respects her intelligence.

[@homersimpson8414]

I like the scene with the stuttering public defender.

[@argella1300]

And ALSO Vinny knows a bit about cars too, and saw what Lisa saw regarding the tire marks a few moments before she did. But he’s the lawyer, he can’t put himself on the stand. Thankfully, he has a brilliant partner who’s a car expert 😉 Seriously, that little look of glee that Vinny and Lisa share when they both have figured it out and they know that the other person has figured it out gets me going every time.

[@xchrysantha]

@@alicethemad1613 I appreciate this context, it's so sweet. (;w; ) I never watched this movie but and own a Legal Eagle rabbit hole. I barely even knew they were engaged. XD But thought he was just smiling so big because he's like, "YES slam dunk case, we're winning this thing!" The context you provided makes this scene like 10x better for me. =D

[@CR3W1SH03S]

He teed it up when he gave his version of what happened and said it was an identical car... then dared her to prove him wrong. Just like the faucet scene. He knew exactly what she was going to see and say. He worked on cars too.

[@roland6663]

You forgot to add the "don't talk to the police" lesson. In the movie, the kids say "I shot the clerk???" Two or three times. And that was read back as if it was a confession. Appeared to be a comedic moment, but can also be scary accurate. Don't talk to the police without a lawyer present!!!

[@nancyomalley9959]

That shows how naive the two kids were

[@maggotreynolds9749]

@@nancyomalley9959 Well they're fictional characters, sooo

[@beepbeeplettuce5890]

@@nancyomalley9959 in the movie they weren't aware what they were being charged with, and they weren't kids, ralph macchio was 31 when the movie was filmed

[@wowdogememe1541]

@@beepbeeplettuce5890 they were playing kids

[@Mortablunt]

All you should say to the cops when dealing with them at work: 1. Yes, Officer. 2. No, Officer. 3. Sorry, Officer. 4. I will not answer without a lawyer, Officer.

[@Naked_Ryan]

I OBJECT! You skipped over the most iconic scene where they establish her as an expert lol

[@andrewcharles459]

I'm sure the non-lawyers who've seen the movie would have liked a brief explanation of what a voir dire is as well. Surprised he skipped over the only legal phrase used by Pesci in the whole movie.

[@sharktopus1000]

And the biological clock seen

[@SophiaAphrodite]

@Joshua Cline you do not get to overrule.

[@mervyngreene6687]

I agree. That scene was a lesson in voir dire of an expert witness. He should have used that scene instead of the scene with the prosecution's expert.

[@raph6931]

@@mervyngreene6687 he explains the voir dire from this film in a different video

[@jqavins]

I love this movie. I've always liked how Vinnie treated the old lady who needs new glasses. He had been rhetorically rough on the previous witnesses, and he was nothing but polite and gentle with her. To treat a nice old lady the way he had treated the other two would have made him look like a big jerk in front of the jury, and he nad the sense to avoid that.

[@djlee_exe]

“Where both cars available in metallic green paint?” “Thay Wuh.” Amazing

[@kaedatiger]

You can always get custom paint at a body shop.

[@Devilsprodigy99]

@@kaedatiger That wasn't the point. The point was that the car was similar in every way. That the car was standardly available in that color just emphasized how easy the confusion was to make.

[@kaedatiger]

@@Devilsprodigy99 No duh. It's the least important detail of the whole case.

[@davesunhammer4218]

@@kaedatiger true, you can always get custom paint, but not always original Factory paint. Meanwhile, Chewbacca never lived on Endor. He was transient and lived on the Millenium Falcon. So Ewoks make no sense!!

[@testodude]

@@kaedatiger Not too many folks go into the custom shop and say "Give me the 1960s faded GM Stock metallic mint green."

[@curtlindmark3417]

One thing I just now noticed, as Marissa is giving her testimony and the jurors are paying close attention to what she’s saying, the prosecutor glares at the Jury and realizes that he’s on the verge of losing the case

[@JohnLeePettimoreIII]

Actually I think he just realized at that moment that he DID lose the case. 😂🤣

[@Ramboost007]

He also talks to his expert FBI witness and he probably hears from him that Marissa is right, and he further sees that his case is falling apart

[@exxor9108]

Fortunately, he took his lost case with good sportsmanship. The defendants' lawyer, Vinny, had proven without the shadow of a doubt that the two 'yutes' (lol) who were arrested, were not the true criminals they were after. And those two criminals who _did_ commit the murder, were caught after the defendants were arrested, and it was brought to the prosecutor's attention. Therefore, he, willingly or not, dropped all charges against the defendants with no contest.

[@johnsayles8032]

To the prosecutions credit, when the evidence was analyzed and it becomes apparent that the real culprits are elsewhere, murder weapon and all, the prosecutor dropped the case

[@parajerry]

Unfortunately, I believe the legal profession is too focused on 'winning' instead of trying to get the appropriate outcome. The defense owes the accused the best defense, but the prosecutor should be more interested in the truth and convicting the right person, not just winning. How many times do we hear of hidden exculpatory evidence and prosecutorial antics that are all about winning, not justice? Until the profession honors a proper and just result instead of counting 'wins,' justice will suffer. The prosecutor in the movie never made it about winning. He seemed to enjoy the process, even when his case fell apart and the truth came out.

[@nickitacocat]

I always loved they weren't actually trying to railroad the defendants. The police, prosecution and witnesses believed they did it. Not only did he prove they were innocent, he actually helped solve the murder.

[@Melissamms]

I love this movie because there are no "bad guys" (aside from the unknown murderers). Everyone is just doing their best, no one is intentionally malicious. Such a feel good, satisfying movie.

[@BetaDude40]

Well, calling the expert witness with no prior discovery and the objection being overruled was pretty shitty

[@natalieitliongfechter6073]

Agreed, I like how the Prosecutor wasn't the bad guy. He respected Vinny whole time.

[@landonor1]

He probably didn’t need to call Gambini in his hotel room and put him off balance all night. That was a little shady and underhanded.

[@connoc5078]

Something I really like about this movie is that the prosecution/antagonist isn't a terrible person like, for example, Jon Voight from The Rainmaker, and the writer doesn't make him some unrealistic villain

[@StormsandSaugeye]

I like the notion that they're antagonists but not bad people. Both sides care about one thing and that's the truth. The Judge serves a duty of ensuring that a fair trial is undertaken. And that's his purpose. He never makes things personal nor is he setting out to defeat Joes character.

[@Razmoudah]

@@StormsandSaugeye Yes, one of the best things about this movie is that it portrays the roles of the judge, prosecution, and defense correctly and appropriately without vilifying anyone.

[@StormsandSaugeye]

@Zoomer Stasi spectacular projection from the literal fascist.

[@stanmann356]

@@StormsandSaugeye ehhhh... I don't know if I agree 100% on the judge. It seemed pretty petty and vindictive to me how he overruled Vinny's objection.

[@bubba200874426]

@@StormsandSaugeye Kinda dubious on the judge being fair since there should have at least been a recess for the defense to prepare for the prosecution's expert.

[@omargeddonthemighty]

No one talks about how he was suffering from sleep deprivation... The minute he got a good night sleep he did better

[@EdithCardellini]

Ironically, he ended up getting a good night's sleep in jail. Lol

[@GunterTheGamer]

@@EdithCardellini jail sounded more like the hustle and bustle of nyc to him which made it easier to sleep

[@EdithCardellini]

@@GunterTheGamer Hahaha, very true. I can relate. I'm from Chicago. I'm used to hearing vehicles, sirens, and all kinds of noise throughout the night. But when I would go down to the countryside to visit my former in-laws, I remember finding it so hard to sleep at night. It would be dead silent and I just couldn't relax enough to close my eyes and doze off.

[@hawktriad]

@@GunterTheGamer I thought his character was from Jersey?

[@Pikasso113]

It felt like a conspiracy against the defense at at some point ! Lol awesome movie 👌

[@JediPhoenix1976]

I'm surprised he didn't jump all over the part where the public defender asks Tipton about his glasses, trying to make the point that Tipton couldn't identify Bill and Stan without them, only to have the strategy blow up right in the lawyer's face. The great unwritten rule: Never ask a question in court that you don't already know the answer to.

[@cripplehawk]

Overruled LegalEagle did that in an other video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lX6UaqWZitSEn7s

[@TitoRigatoni]

If you recall, the two yutes discussed this very issue when they were sitting in jail discussing which lawyer they were going to use. Stan feared Vinny would make a mistake like this, and that's why he decided to go with the PD - and then the PD did exactly that.

[@jockellis]

Dan Rather, in his book “The Camera Never Blinks” tells journalist the same thing. When the female reported asked Pres. Trump if he wished he’d ordered more ventilators he should have asked her if she knew who Dan Rather was then old her of Mr. Rather’s advice. Then he should have said, “So if you know how many we needed, please stay after the press conference and give Dr. Fouci the benefit of your wisdom.”

[@KrytenKoro]

@@jockellis alcindor was right, trump was wrong

[@jockellis]

@@KrytenKoro About what?

[@danielswierczynski2001]

Fred Gwinn's last film role and it certainly could not have been better. What a great actor and a great life.

[@Listening_Books12345]

He's from New Jersey, I think, but he did this Southern drawl so perfectly! Absolutely loved him in this

[@EatTheMarxists]

I miss Fred. He was the best Herman Munster and no one else can even come close. He was also fantastic in ‘Pet Semetery’ as Jud.

[@himwhoisnottobenamed5427]

@@EatTheMarxistsHerman was such a loveable goof. Gwynne was awesome in that role. Pity he was typecast as that though.

[@commerce-usa]

Had a court experience where the other side gave the judge the "you were serious?" treatment regarding ignoring the previous instruction by the court. 30 days in lockup for him. Yes, the judge was very serious.

[@SRosenberg203]

I wonder if that lawyer also got his first good-night's sleep in a week, after the judge sent him to lockup lmao

[@wingerrrrrrrrr]

Do judges receive training to be high and mighty to enable their proceedings to be taken seriously, or does the job just have an attraction for people with the mindset? Very seldom are judges depicted in Night Court fashion.

[@12yearssober]

@@wingerrrrrrrrr They have the power and know it. I once saw a judge order a defendant to jump. They guy looked puzzled and the judge loudly ordered him again to jump. The guy began to jump and the judge said that was enough. He just wanted the guy to know who was in charge and he will do everything he is ordered to do while on probation or he would spend 2 years in prison. I have a feeling the guy never once violated his probation.

[@samuelvincent557]

No objections. I love your breakdown of the scenes and, in fact, reminded me of the opening class in my Business Law class I took in college. Very first day, our instructor, who was a military lawyer, walked into the class, about three minutes late, walks to the front of the class. Without saying a word, he takes off his coat and sets down his briefcase, then walks back out. A couple minutes later, he strides back in, picks up the briefcase, and walks back out. Never says anything or even looks around. Almost all of the students are chatting among themselves or on their phones. Then he slips back into the room, stands against the back wall and tells everyone to not look back towards him, and to take out a piece of paper and pen. He then says that a crime has been committed in this room, and directs everyone to write down their recollection of events. The descriptions of what was taken, the actions he took, and the physical description of him varied so widely, you would have through six different men had robbed the place of a briefcase, legal pad, coat, hat, and phone. The point of this was to illustrate the inherent problem with eye-witness testimony. It is far less accurate than most would believe. It not only stuck with me, but it helped to make me a more critical observer.

[@r.j.penfold]

That's amazing and also extremely intimidating

[@samuelvincent557]

@Nick Fanchette this was business law, intended for small business owners. And it was to illustrate that if an incident happened at your place of business, having an eye witness isn't always as good as you'd think.

[@bigpigeon2384]

That’s a pretty good way of teaching

[@mistertea603]

...what a power move

[@jesseperez3086]

Lol thats awesome!

[@ShubhamBhushanCC]

Still crushing on Marissa Tomei since I watched this movie

[@stevenwilliams1805]

She still looks amazing, last I've seen.

[@susanmaggiora4800]

Shubham Bhushan It’s pretty hard not to 🙂

[@MikeBaxterABC]

George!???

[@dominickschrute3084]

@@MikeBaxterABC well she does like quirky bald men 😂

[@StamfordBridge]

She is stunning, without doubt.

[@galawman]

30 years ago when I began my legal practice, I tried dozens of criminal cases, from Atlanta to backwoods Georgia. My experience was more akin to Vinny’s, especially in the early years, when old courthouses in poor counties still tried cases. I’ve been in this exact courtroom, albeit only in appearance and when I saw this movie, I was taken back to how real it was to do criminal work back then.

[@philipbgood]

When I first saw this movie I said to myself..."Damn, that girl deserves an Academy Award"...and by God she got it.

[@zillydino]

We know who to look for if Peter goes to court!

[@ambulocetusnatans]

She was my favorite part of the movie, and that's saying a lot because the whole movie was great.

[@AlekSensej]

Objection your honor. The trial that mister Vinney took part in took place in 1992. Indochino started their business in 2007. There for the defense wasn't able to procure a suit from their stores.

[@hg3990]

Sustained!

[@mathewdeering]

Bi-do-dooo-dooo-dooo-doooo, myundies, myundies....

[@7211haa]

O

[@loganbigmo]

Objection, opposing counsel mispronounced the word "objection"

[@MorrigansRaven3944]

😂😂

[@anon17472]

I'm not a lawyer, but I work in corrections and spend a lot of time monitoring court proceedings (in Australia), we say "It's called disclosure ya dickhead" multiple times a day

[@jessicaleser8822]

Just thinking of that with an Australian accent 🤔😂

[@anon17472]

@@jessicaleser8822 you have to imagine a bunch of Aussies trying to do a NY accent lol

[@stalfithrildi5366]

​@@anon17472also trying really hard to say dickhead and nothing stronger

[@himwhoisnottobenamed5427]

@@jessicaleser8822😂😂 Same.

[@sonja5191]

But what about 'the vibes'?

[@pipash3953]

What I love about the deviations from perfect legal accuracy is that they have narrative and humorous merit and clearly there was deliberation over whether they should be included. Such an elegantly constructed movie

[@Condor1970]

imagine if Vincent had worn a proper suit to trial. He would have lost the case. His constant contempt of court, finally gave the poor man a good night sleep.

[@davidphillips9726]

My grandma was from Brooklyn. The "yutes" scene in this movie absolutely slayed her the first time she saw it

[@tallperson117]

Yep, every law professor's favorite movie. So many of these clips were used as teaching examples back when I was in law school, it's just that good.

[@VivaLaDnDLogs]

I love the way Joe Pesci sells Vinny's reactions. There's not a trace of fakeness or playing to the camera. It's played just *chef's kiss* _PERFECTLY._ "There's a f***ing surprise." "What did you just say?" "What?" "Now didn't I tell you the next time you were in my court, you were to be dressed appropriately?" "....You were _serious?"_

[@bostontowny4life744]

OBJECTION: Pesci was never supposed to be a "terrible" attorney, just a new, inexperienced one.

[@LaurenAnne6]

I concur.

[@ryant3600]

Yeah but he also failed the bar like 5 times. So more than likely he is terrible and inexperienced

[@l.n.3372]

I'd argue his rudeness and cursing is less a mistake from inexperience and more to add humor to the movie. But obviously don't disrespect the judge in court, self explanatory.

[@Vincent_Beers]

All you did was explain why he was terrible, he was new and inexperienced. That doesn't mean he won't improve.

[@DaltonHBrown]

well, he failed the bar exam 5 times.

[@NostalgikProductions]

"Let's dig in to my cousin, Vinny." Wait, that's illegal.

[@f.a.s.1746]

PetWaint not where I live 👀👀👀

[@Neppix_]

Fatmah Sabbagh *SWEET HOME ALABAMA-*

[@danielaramburo7648]

Cousin vinny should pay his legal fees. Legal eagle does not take kindly to unpaid legal fees. Don’t pay them, bad luck might struck you.

[@saltyvet646]

Don't touch me there you're not my uncle

[@nicklord650]

I WASnTtHE ONLY ONE WHO THOUGHT TAHt

[@drivewaystar6485]

I fell in love with Marissa when she said "limited-slip differential"

[@launabanauna8958]

I know right?! Now, I know wtf positraction is...lol!

[@lastmanstanding2622]

I like it when she was stomping her feet saying her clock was ticking. LOL

[@coolcat8b]

@@lastmanstanding2622 Especially in that body suit! 😊

[@lastmanstanding2622]

@@coolcat8b Absolutely!!! You are a man of GOOoOD taste! 👍

[@TitoRigatoni]

I fell in love with her when she was describing the little deer drinking from the quiet brook

[@rlrudedog]

To me, this was some of the best writing, directing, and acting of most movies. Getting the dialog on point was outstanding. The scenes were broken down leading to each happening was great. Everyone had to remember their lines making the spot-on scenes believable. Joe Pesci has been in some great movies hitting his lines perfectly but not in comedies like this movie having drama as it does. This is the movie that lead me to watch movies Marisa Tomei made in the past and ensure the future too. Both of these actors had chemistry in this movie. Both were outstanding in acting the courtroom scenes. Tomei when she is in the witness chair doing her dialog being serious but having to make them funny was some of the best acting I have seen from her. Maybe when all cars are electric or not driven would this movie become out-of-date now over some 25 years this movie seems recent.

[@MNDrummer]

You might be surprised at how much more competent this fictional character is than many actual attorneys.

[@lancasterritzyescargotdine2602]

MN You are so correct. The first time I watched this film I was reminded of an event from years ago, when I watched a normally placid judge I knew well and respected, bawl out a sloppily-dressed attorney in front of the whole courtroom for being late and unprepared. The poor slob was so humiliated he dropped his files all over the floor ahead of the bar, causing a five minute delay while he gathered them up. Only the bailiff stepped up to assist him.

[@mrthisbetterstick7776]

I'm not surprised. I clerked in a well known law firm, and I was horrified at their aptitude. Granted, there's a lot of procedure and practical application that law school doesn't teach you, but it's like no one bothered to "find the law" that *was* taught in uni. It convinced me that I wasn't cut out for firm work, so I went corporate. Tho corporations have, throughout time, taught me that I'm not cut out for corporate legal departments, either.

[@lancasterritzyescargotdine2602]

@@mrthisbetterstick7776 I started out with wills, probate & estate planning but that got boring. Then litigation and corporate work got boring. Now I'm ready for trial work - what I've really always been draw to since about 5th grade.

[@MNDrummer]

@@mrthisbetterstick7776 I'm sure your cut out for something! :)

[@bubba200874426]

@@mrthisbetterstick7776 Always remember that half of all lawyers are worse than the average lawyer.

[@ralphholiman7401]

I was an assistant district attorney for a small rural county in Mississippi. I felt like I was watching one of my trials when I watched My Cousin Vinny.

[@michaelwarrell5479]

What county ? I live in mississippi so I'm just wandering

[@ralphholiman7401]

@@michaelwarrell5479 , George and Green Counties.

[@ralphholiman7401]

The courthouse in Green looked straight out of TonKill aMockinbird.

[@Jamesvandaele]

Objection: you cannot put your hands on your head and get out of the car.

[@myview9923]

You can jump out.. it's a convertible..

[@ramman5784]

Reminds me of a scene the movie Raising Arizona. During the bank robbery the robbers yell "Freeze, get down" One of the customers ask " What's it gonna be, If we freeze we can't get down and if we get down we can't freeze

[@b1akn3ss93]

The cop should let you open a door slowly

[@alansmithee419]

@@b1akn3ss93 giving you plenty of time to pull a gun from the thing in the inside of the door? (I don't know what it's called) That doesn't seem right to me.

[@Casanuda]

Haven't you heard of the cop that had a kid lay flat on the floor, keep his hands behind his back, knees apart, and crawl down a hotel hallway? Some cops are just scum.

[@andyroo9381]

Now I want to watch "My Cousin Vinny" one more time. This is the best compliment anyone can give to a film. Such a great movie, from start to finish.

[@CptDunsel]

Objection - You omitted the cross examination of Mrs. Riley. That's a great example of removing the credibility of a witness without attacking the witness and turning the jury against you.

[@rapscallionbrigade7956]

I was just about to comment with this so I'm glad I scanned the comments first. I was incredibly surprised that it was omitted from the video.

[@TXLonghornFan22]

He has already gone over the cross in one of his videos where he only does a clip or two from different movies

[@karlsmith2570]

CptDunsel wasn't that the witness who's eyesight was really bad, when Vinnie held up two fingers and asked her how many fingers he was holding up and she said 4??

[@CptDunsel]

@@karlsmith2570 Indeed it was.

[@CptDunsel]

@@TXLonghornFan22 Immaterial. That's like testimony in another hearing.

[@michelestapleton]

I grew up in and went to law school in Alabama. I ADORE this movie. I feel like all the locals depicted in the movie are believable. You’d probably not run into all of them at the same time, but there’s not a one that you couldn’t find somewhere in Alabama.

[@JakeSezz]

Spring Break 2001. A friend and I were driving back to Kentucky from Pensacola Beach when we were pulled over in Alabama. My friend was driving and the officer actually asked him outta the truck. All I could keep thinking was “Do you know where you are? You’re in Alafuckingbama.” Even some of my friends from Alabama have some of these stereotypes. This movie is a treasure and glad to see someone from the state that doesn’t think it’s an attack on Alabama/Southern living 🤙🏻😂

[@jlw184]

I was a Foreman in jury service and nodded off once. I jumped back into realty. The judge looked at me and ordered a 15 minute recess while the jury has a cup of coffee!

[@nthgth]

Haha that's a cool judge, or at least they were in a good mood at the time! (Or also wanted some coffee)

[@jlw184]

@@nthgth He was a Cool Judge. Justice Mark Mohammed.

[@jeremylayman3684]

One thing that is discussed in the movie but not the video above that increases the tension, is the fact that Vinny didn't have a lawyer certification and is trying to get the trial done before the fact is discovered. It really ramps up both the tension and the pressure of the character to get this trial not only done, but won in the time he has.

[@anthonyiuculano6002]

Joe Pesci wasn't slurring his words in the heat of cross examination when he said 'youts'... he was just being Italian

[@testodude]

Hey, that's a slur against Italians.

[@Brutalmetal93]

Sac of suds is right down the road from my house lol, that's a real place

[@georgelloydgonzalez]

Are your windows clean enough? Are you sure it's the same shop?

[@theashtray607]

Now what are those big things in between your house and the sac of suds?

[@GRBtutorials]

The Ash Tray How many bushes?

[@somegoodfella]

There are 7 bushes. I'm suprised o'the fact none o'them died. I'm also suprised that no other bush grew there, but oh well. Let us carry on. Seven bushes, trees a-AND you have a dirty window and a grubby screen. Could it be possible that you've seen a different convenience store? I doubt you can respond negatively to this. No further questions

[@somethinggtwo]

And how long does it take you to make grits

[@totesfleisch258]

Fred Gwynne, an extremely amazing actor, may he rest in peace.

[@ninnusridhar]

The reason this movie is as good as it is, is coz every single twist, every single important fact is setup much earlier. The grits, the tyre stuck in the mud, their automotive knowledge, them basically flirting/getting off on arguments, etc. This movie is just incredible. I'd use this as a masterclass in writing school lol

[@Gilmaris]

This movie also contains one of the best examples why you should never talk to the police. In the interview room: -When did you shoot him? -What? -At what point did you shoot the clerk? -I shot the clerk? -Yes. When did you shoot him? -I shot the clerk? And this, of course, allowed the cop to testify that the lad had in fact said, "I shot the clerk" - twice, even. Cops want to solve crimes, and so they always assume that the person they have in the interview room is guilty. And they will always try to get you to talk. If you're innocent, you are more likely to _want_ to talk than if you're guilty, and less likely to be calm and collected than if you're guilty.

[@jaschabull2365]

By the sounds of it, cops don't so much want to solve crimes as they want to affirm the hunches they had when they made the arrest - correct or otherwise. Stupid Reid Model.

[@stupifried4207]

Far as I'm concerned, the police nowadays, with the exception of some, aren't to far off from being a Nazi. All they care about is " ID " everyone aka papers? And dumbass ways to generate revenue. Cops dont even know the law half the time and copsplain made up bs. They even generally escalate a calm situation just to shoot or arrest someone for no other purpose besides a mark on their score cards. Most are racist and even turn others racist. Example - black cop vs black citizen. That cop will go right along with violating the citizens rights, and the sad part is the citizen was probably pulled over just because they were black. Start off innocent and in moments after you're getting beat up or shot for 0 reason besides cops being pigs. My advice as always to anyone that doesnt understand or want to understand reality is learn your rights - even though that doesnt always matter but it helps more so than not and record it or if can, go on some livestream feed because that will be your best chance of defense with legit proof. Any cop that says you cant is full of shit.

[@soupalex]

ACAB

[@lesthomasson7220]

Jascha Bull Cops only want to make arrests. They will not be promoted or advance in any way without making arrests. They kick the rest of it to the district attorney to sort out the details of the little things like innocence or guilt. It has always made me sick to know that it’s legal for the law to lie to you, but you go to jail if you lie to the law. That’s wrong for many reasons..... and just dangerous

[@ObeyCamp]

Gilmaris Another reason they assume the person they've arrested is guilty is because human beings are prone to countless cognitive biases like confirmation bias and selection biases. Our brains are inherently pretty bad at logic but we foolishly trust our beliefs anyway.

[@karlbrady5453]

We were on a bus tour in Honolulu. The bus driver pointed to a guy in a suit and says he is an attorney. "How do I know he is an attorney? He is wearing a suit." Appartently only attorneys wear suits in Hawaii. Everyone else is dressed for comfort.

[@raven4k998]

they love the mudd like three little piggies in there

[@beepbeeplettuce5890]

@@raven4k998 dafuq does that answer have to do with anything?

[@Elise_Ann]

LOL so tru tho

[@CraigGood]

All the years I worked at Pixar we figured that anybody wearing a suit was on his way to a job interview. Except when our president, Ed Catmull wore one. That's how we knew he had a media interview that day. But for a while the story department had Formal Fridays, and they all showed up in suits.

[@pbandj37]

Bro....even lawyers roll with an Aloha Shirt, and untucked, here. The suit only goes on when you appear in front of the judge and sometimes the suits are, well, barely "suits."

[@aneathensia173]

I had a Law Professor that consistently told us to go watch this movie, she also never stopped referencing it in class.

[@erauprcwa]

It's a really good movie and does the legal system justice, in the form of a comedy.

[@bfish89ryuhayabusa]

@@erauprcwa It does the legal system justice, but does it do the justice system legal?

[@jackthorton10]

😋😁😄, It does... in a second hand suit.

[@trevorbanahaskey5600]

Watching this was really fun for me. I've seen that movie maybe 30-40 times over the years, and I still enjoy it to this day even though I can quote it nearly verbatim. To have a lawyer's take on the movie certainly made my day. Thanks.

[@paulnewkirk7351]

I loved the sweet little lady with the coke bottle glasses. She wanted to be helpful but was blind and when Vinny asked her how many fingers he was holding up, the judge gave the answer, let the records show that he is holding up two fingers. HILARIOUS!!!

[@ryanwatson789]

We watched clips from this movie in my Evidence class during law school. Even some clips you didn't show, like cross-examining (impeaching) one of the witnesses for her inability to see at a long distance. It's just a great example of legal procedure being portrayed in a way that is both accurate and engaging.

[@jamesweekley1087]

I like that he roughed up the 2 men and treated the old lady gently. Way to win a jury's approval.

[@TrekBeatTK]

It’s hilarious that the character’s name is the title of the movie but we keep calling him Joe Pesci.

[@johnfisher1006]

I mean the name was barely used in the movie so it might throw people off especially those who haven't seen it lol.

[@leeweesquee]

Joe Pesci only plays Joe Pesci

[@onehandclapping3094]

U can get away with anything if your a liberal attorney

[@goldilox369]

I like Vinny's album. He sang that just for me, you know... 😂🎶

[@KingCasual1986]

@@johnfisher1006 I’m pretty sure the judge called him Mr. Gambini a fair bit.

[@g.f.peterman4165]

I taught Trial Advocacy as an adjunct professor in law school for eighteen years and used the same excerpts to demonstrate how to conduct effective cross and direct examinations. The students always rated this as a very effective part of the course, as well as their favorite.

[@briceyokem9236]

My recollection is that Joe Pesci's character had not just gotten out of law school, but had to take the bar exam about 8 times to pass.

[@billyboblillybob344]

@@williamcurtis2145 Exactly, "third time's the charm? No, Stan, in my case, six times was the charm..." lol

[@MattB2603]

What were you doing all that time? Studying. That's a lot of studying.

[@goldenapplesaga5446]

There are two kinds of people in this world People who have seen My Cousin Vinny And Poor unfortunate souls

[@desmondgentle1474]

So sad, so true!

[@anjalib2758]

I was a poor unfortunate soul till yesterday. Now I've seen the movie and I love it!!!

[@andrewcharles459]

True words, though I was crushed and broken-hearted to learn afterwards that Ms. Tomei doesn't actually speak with that accent. An Oscar well-earned by her on this.

[@triple7marc]

I watched it for the first time this morning and it's now one of my favorite films.

[@J.R8765]

I was one then I saw this and watched it

[@rexjolles]

I saw a 1963 Buick skylark convertible for sale and all I thought of was this movie haha

[@badandy102]

Was it metallic mint green?

[@jackthorton10]

With a white top on it?

[@nathanlewis5682]

My dad had a '64 Skylark hard top 2 door. Pea green exterior and interior. 300 cubic inch v8 auto. Problem with those 300 is that as the aluminium oil pump wear out, the oil pressure drops and the upper part of engine starves of oil and the camshaft wears down faster than normal.

[@joshuatift4640]

@@badandy102 it Whaz

[@badandy102]

@@joshuatift4640 Was it occupied by two yutes?

[@done.6191]

One of the most unbelievable parts of the movie was the speed within which a murder trial convened.

[@passiveaggressive6175]

The non legal scene when Marisa Tomei is talking to Vinny about their relationship and her ‘biological clock ticking’ is one of the greatest cinema scenes OF ALL TIME.

[@sabrecrafted7409]

That, and the "Imagine you're a deer" bit- has me in stitches every single time lmao

[@DongusMcBongus]

“What are you, a f’in world traveler?”

[@stalfithrildi5366]

The little nod Vinny gives to her stamping on the ground, approving of a well demonstrated point. So good.

[@Scgoodgy23]

I was today years old when I found out the reason its probably one of the more accurate portrayals has to do with the Director having a law degree.

[@Account.for.Comment]

The guy also co-created "Yes, Minister". The most accuracte portrayal of English government and political process ever made.

[@erikabutler6893]

17:21 I like how Vinny's question causes the jury to actually look at each other. Like, he's made an impression on the jury!

[@WigsZone]

I always interpreted this as the jury reacted to the silly phrase "a moment of two seconds", but could be that too!

[@torkintim8361]

I remember the first time I saw this. My sister had rented it from Blockbuster, remember them, and I had never heard of the movie. Was such an unexpectedly great movie. My husband, who was a transmission mechanic, did not know what Pesci was looking for from Tomei. I asked, " Who is the transmission mechanic here? Don't you know that the car that left the skid marks had posi-traction?' " Every once in a while my sister reminds me of that.

[@Robert399]

12:50 This confused me even more because to an Australian a "ute" is a "utility truck" (a pickup truck).

[@xh0rsex]

it's spelled "yute." it's slang for "young person."

[@prajwalbhandari8187]

Over watching 4WD YT channel i also though he actually refered to trucks.

[@nthgth]

It's just how Joe Pesci's character pronounces "youth." Not really slang, just an accent

[@emilygriffin125]

Its not slang, its NY for "youth"

[@xh0rsex]

@@emilygriffin125 That's means its slang... "NY" is not a language...

[@jeffm9770]

I absolutely love when he says "Two defendants" while looking pointedly at the judge

[@CHixon]

With the pause. Don't forget the pause.

[@jaydo1879]

Great movie. I took a criminal law class where we watched this movie the first day of class. The professor referred back to it the whole semester. It was effective.

[@waltermcgarvin8001]

Marissa Tomei is just an amazing human being!! Keeping peoples eyes on Marissa is never a problem! Absolutely gorgeous!

[@jeromixx]

If you do “To Kill a Mockingbird” I will buy a suit. So... you know... please.

[@alligatoraidan]

agreed

[@markmasse9657]

Ditto

[@ET-bg8ru]

Marisa Tomei's testimony won her an academy for best supporting actress.

[@billyboblillybob344]

Of course today she would have lost for saying "Chinese food"...

[@SKyrim190]

@@billyboblillybob344 what is the problem with saying "Chinese food"?

[@rlevitta]

Re: grits taking 20 minutes to cook - there was a scene at the beginning of the movie where a cook in a luncheonette tells Joe Pesci's character that it takes 20 minutes to cook grits. Couldn't you call him as an expert witness? :)

[@redmoko9837]

@John Griffith Are you insinuating that that man made instant grits? He would be appalled that you would make such an accusation. There's no "box" for homemade grits, good sir!

[@Casanuda]

@@redmoko9837 you could just submit a recipe from any major published cooking guide like Better Homes or the like.

[@glennrauch1499]

He actually said "simmer it in a pan for 15 or 20 minutes" I don't think you would want the lesser time brought up in court!

[@cardsfanboy]

That entire scene was made to inform the character of Joe Pesci, it was a bit of foreshadowing..... when you first watch the movie, you are looking at that scene as "why is this in the movie?" as it was just useless character building, it wasn't until the cross examination that you realized why it was in the movie.

[@jpdemer5]

Do you really need an expert witness on this question, when you have a Southern jury?

[@Kirian42S]

It's been years since this was posted, but I was so sad not to see the scene where the prosecutor questions Lisa's credentials with a trick question. Arguably the best scene in the movie, though it doesn't have much to comment on from a legal perspective.

[@nemohimself2580]

The real question is whether it was actually a trick question or if he just didn't know.

[@Wet-Milk]

He covers that in another video he did, but it was compilation of different movie scenes

[@randomlife7935]

He obviously did not want to spoil the movie as he recommended for everyone to watch it. As you have said, it was arguably the best scene.

[@Estes705]

While acting as bailiff years ago, the general sessions judge was "looking" at a playboy CENTERFOLD during the entire preliminary hearing of a defendant charged with felony Burglary.

[@codysmith3853]

King

[@edeledeledel5490]

@@codysmith3853 Was he looking with one or both hands?

[@rt66vintage16]

Look up the judge in Sapulpa OK to find out what he had under his robe.

[@snack_bar2474]

I watched this a few weeks ago, and the funny thing is I actually have a cousin named Vincent. He’s a lawyer. We call him Vinny.

[@r.j.penfold]

Wait that's cool as hell. Is he from NY?

[@SRosenberg203]

That's so dope. I wish I had a cousin Vinny.

[@desertflyer5123]

In one of my first trials right out of law school I actually used a line from My Cousin Vinny. After completely discrediting a private detective (who even admitted to not having a license) I ended with “I have no further use of this witness.” I don’t know if the judge got it...