Corrina, Corrina (film)

Corrina, Corrina
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Jessie Nelson
Produced by	Paula Mazur Jessie Nelson Steve Tisch
Written by	Jessie Nelson
Starring	Whoopi Goldberg Ray Liotta Tina Majorino
Music by	Rick Cox
Cinematography	Bruce Surtees
Editing by	Lee Percy
Distributed by	New Line Cinema
Release date(s)	August 12, 1994
Running time	115 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Corrina, Corrina is a 1994 feature film set in 1959 about a widower (Ray Liotta) who hires a housekeeper/nanny (Whoopi Goldberg) to care for his daughter (Tina Majorino). It was written and directed by Jessie Nelson. It was the last film Don Ameche made; he died after filming was completed.^[1]

Plot

When his wife dies, Manny Singer (Ray Liotta) searches for a housekeeper/nanny to take care of his young daughter, Molly. After several unsuccessful interviews that turn up such prospects as a religious zealot, a Sophia Loren wannabe, and a closet alcoholic (Joan Cusack) who tries to seduce him, Corrina (Whoopi Goldberg) interviews for the position. Manny perceives her as overqualified because of her college degree and, initially, decides not to hire her. However, as Corrina is leaving, he sees the way she interacts with Molly. Since her mother's death, the child has not only refused to speak but doesn't even acknowledge people. Molly responds to Corrina and Manny hires the no-nonsense housekeeper. Very quickly a strong bond is formed between nanny and child and soon Molly regains her desire to speak.

Corrina and Manny fall in love and, in 1950s America, face difficulties as an interracial couple. Corrina's sister wants her to date a black man, and Manny's mother and his best friend push him to date a perky white woman with two children. Love triumphs despite these barriers.

Cast

Actor	Role
Whoopi Goldberg	Corrina Washington
Ray Liotta	Manny Singer
Tina Majorino	Molly Singer
Jenifer Lewis	Jevina
Wendy Crewson	Jenny Davis
Don Ameche	Grandpa Harry
Erica Yohn	Grandma Eva

Reaction

Reviews

The film received mixed reviews from many film critics criticizing Nelson's failure to fully address the complications surrounding a romantic interracial relationship in the 1950s. Roger Ebert confessed that he enjoyed the film but wrote, "...seems almost as shy as the characters about the charged issues of race and romance. After it was over I felt that, yes, it was warm and good-hearted, but there was more of a story there to be told."^[2] Janet Maslin of The New York Times praised the actors and actress for their work on the film but echoed a similar criticism regarding Manny and Corrina's relationship, "The affection between them is evident, but not even by the end of her story has Ms. Nelson decided what sort of affection it is. That may be true to life, but for an otherwise mainstream movie, it's trouble."^[3]

Box Office

The movie was not a box office success.^[4]

References

1. ^ http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/participant.jsp?spid=3280&apid=39406
2. ^ "Corrina, Corrina". Chicago Sun-Times. http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19940819/REVIEWS/408190303/1023. 
3. ^ Maslin, Janet (1994-08-12). "FILM REVIEW; A Wise Housekeeper Tries to Tidy Up a Bereft Family". The New York Times. http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9D00EFD81530F931A2575BC0A962958260. 
4. ^ Dutka, Elaine (1994-08-30). "Weekend Box Office : 'Killers' Takes 'em by Surprise". The Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/1994-08-30/entertainment/ca-32773_1_weekend-box-office. Retrieved 2011-01-11. 

External links

• Corrina, Corrina at the Internet Movie Database