Customer Reviews

Corrina Corrina [VHS]

5 star:		(69)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've been wanting to buy this movie on DVD for myself for such a long time, and I finally did the other day. I just watched it tonight. It's still as great as it was the many over times I've watched it.

Corrina, Corrina is a heartwarming film that's heartbreaking romantic, and all around a joy to watch. Whoopi Goldberg plays a nanny who is hired by an Athiest (Ray Liotta) to look after his 7 year old girl, Molly. It takes some time getting used to Corrina and her religous beliefs (because she'd tell Molly that her mother, who had recently passed away, was in Heaven and the father told Corrina not to be telling Molly such things because he and his deceased wife were Athiest), but in the end, the father comes to accept Corrina's intentions and find what's best for his daughter. There are some heartbreaking moments in the film that will have tears running down your cheeks, but there are also moments where you'll be laughing your sorrow away. This movie is pretty much perfect. When Molly's mother died, she became miserable and wouldn't talk to anyone. She wouldn't say one word. But, when Corrina came into her life, Molly slowly became her fun old self and she began glowing once again. This is a great film to watch over and over again and you'll never grow tired of it.

Like Robin Williams, Whoopie Goldberg is known for her comedy yet lets us experience all the other human emotions when she performs in a movie like this. I don't know how many times I've seen this and still I let all my feelings go! I appreciate Ray Liotta'a performance more than any of his because it's so gentle. And Tina Marjorino is absolutely precious. This movie delves into more than you even realize watching it the first few times and I think I'll find more and more in the future. Very few movies are worth watching so many times--it'll rip at your heart and make you happy to be alive all at once. I am thankful for this movie.

I have only seen about 4 or 5 feature movies starring Whoopi Goldberg and even less with Ray Liotta. Of these few, Corrina, Corrina is my favorite. Corrina, Corrina is a movie with so many heartwarming moments. It is also in the rare category of movies made in the last 2 decades which actually teaches a number of lessons. The lessons in Corrina, Corrina deal with loss, love, giving, hope, faith, art, beauty, optimism, racism, and forgiveness.

After Manny Singer's wife's death, he and his young daughter Molly are left alone to cope with their loss. After interviewing a number of unsuitable and eccentric applicant's as for the job of nanny, he chooses Corrina Washington. Corrina is far too qualified for the job. She is a college graduate with dreams of writing liner notes for jazz albums. But she is born too early, for she is an African-American woman, and it is 1950s America.

Being an optimist with a strong faith, Corrina becomes Molly's nanny. In the process, she changes the lives of both Manny and Molly. Love blooms effortlessly between the three. Molly sees Corrina as a new mother. Corrina and Manny see beyond one ano-
ther's skin color. They listen to one another. Their tastes in music and their outlook are similar. They fall in love to Molly's glee. But their families and 1950s America is not ready for their romance.

All of the actors in this movie were attractive. Whoopi Goldberg never looked better. Ray Liotta's looks and whole demeanor took my breath away. I think it was very courageous to cast Goldberg and Liotta together as love interests. Seeing them together in the film, made me wish that they were a couple in real life. Tina Majorina was precious, and one of the best child actors I have ever seem. I have been waiting to see her in more films ever since I first saw her in Corrina, Corrina.

Corrina, Corrina is a nearly flawless film for the whole family.

I found this film so funny and entertaining, i liked the fact that it delved into serious subjects in a light way, rather than making the whole story about racism, interracial relations, or death. it concentrated more on the relationship between the three main characters, making it a family film instead of another drama with unhappy endings.

This little gem from 1994 is one of the best smile-inducing films I've ever seen. Ray Liotta's turn as an ad man circa 1950s is tender. Whoopi's appearance kicks it up a notch as she brings some spice into the lives of widowed Manny Singer and his daughter, Molly.

I've watched this movie so many times, I've memorized dialogue and gestures. It's part of my own video library. Watching Corrina, Corrina always guarantees I'll be smiling and feeling lighthearted by the time the final credits roll. The music is superb (I bought the soundtrack) and always gets me singing and popping my fingers.

Some of my favorite moments are when Whoopi steps off the bus and grinds out her cigarette with her pointy-toed shoe; the scene at the drive-in diner with Patrica Darbo (love her accent); the magic stoplights; Lois and "Queen for a Day"; the beautiful scene where Corrina and Molly are listening to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and Manny is looking out over the city; when Corrina and Percy stick their tongues out at each other; when Corrina dangles a chandelier piece from her ear and tells Molly "No we can't; we simply can't"; when Manny mistakenly calls Corrina Molly's mother; when Manny wins the Bromide account but Jenny spoils the moment; when Molly calls Corrina and the dog is between Corrina and Anthony; when Manny puts his arm around Corrina while Molly's flying the kite; when Manny and Corrina kiss while dancing; when Manny kisses Corrina outside her sister's house.

Okay, so I liked ALL the moments! Anyway, one final tidbit. When TNN first showed the movie, they interviewed Jessie Nelson, the writer, director, and producer (I think). She said that the story was based on her life. Her widowed father hired a black housekeeper, and young Jessie wished they would get married and the housekeeper would be her new mom.

I wish the romantic storyline had been more developed; but what little was there was done beautifully and tenderly by Liotta and Goldberg. I read somewhere that Whoopi really wanted to play the love interest for Liotta and advised Nelson not to hire a Halle Berry-type (read beautiful black woman). Her reason was because she wanted to show that someone as handsome as Liotta could really fall for a woman who society may not think of as externally beautiful but who is exceptionally beautiful on the inside.

Liotta & Goldberg are an unlikely but perfect match in this heartwarming bittersweet story of interracial love. Thoughtful direction, cinematography and casting enhance this highly watchable film which sends some subtley important messages on love, grief and family.

I am a Whoopi Goldberg fan, but most of the films I've seen her in have been comedic efforts. This movie bowled me over. Goldberg's acting is superb with so many different levels and nuances. She is perfectly cast as Corrina, the new housekeeper/angel who is hired to care for a recently widowed father and his withdrawn daughter. Her gentleness, no nonsense attitude, spirit, and intelligence make her a nearly perfect character. The complexities of an interracial relationship in the 50's are dealt with wonderfully as are themes of discrimination and tolerance. Ray Liotta is wonderful in his role as the jingle-writing dad and brings a depth and a realness to the role. Tina Majorino, as his daughter, is able to handle the roller-coaster of emotions of a girl who is confused and depressed about the loss of her mother; and yet she retains a spunk and a liveliness that slowly appears thanks to Corrina's understanding and influence. The movie is pure magic and shows the evolution of a family's grief from sorrow to hope. "Corrina, Corrina" is a must have.

Corrina, Corrina is the lovely story of Manny Singer, a recently widowed man, played by Ray Liotta, and his little girl, Molly. Molly becomes increasingly withdrawn after her Mother's death and no one can reach her. (She is delightfully portrayed by Tina Majorino.) Enter Whoopie Goldberg as Nanny/housekeeper, Corinna, and the only person who can get through to Molly. Before long, not only Molly, but her Dad, become very attached to Corinna. She becomes almost a part of the family. This becomes quite evident when Manny obliviously tells Molly to "listen to your Mother" over dinner, and later absentmindedly kisses Corinna goodbye as he rushes off to work...both of which delight Molly. Could Manny and Corrina be falling in love? It is also the story of an interracial relationship in the fifties. What I like most about this film is the way we see Molly transform from withdrawn to joyful. She blossoms under Corrina's care. The chemistry between Whoopie and Tina is magical. I especially love the way Corrina gets Molly to come out of her shell, in the most unconventional ways. I feel this is a good family film. It is touching and sweet. It is one of my favorite movies.

This was as wholesome as films can get. Coming off of the hits " Sister Act " and " Sister Act II " Whoopi Goldberg decided to target the clean audience that enjoyed both of the films. I saw this movie when it first came out in 94 and I don't remember if it was a huge box office draw or not. To me it's just one of those nice Sunday afternoon movies that allow you to enjoy the film without having to think about an intensive plot. The little girl was terrific and Ray Liotta played the bruised, suffering father to a T. It was impressive to see such a change from the man who usually plays psychopaths in his other movies. Don Ameche was touching in his last role and I enjoyed the family aspect most of all.

The only thing I didn't agree with was the pairing of Ray Liotta and Whoopi because it didn't make sense. The two were going along like friends, trying to help Molly cope with her mother's death. All of a sudden the two are kissing one another on the father's lawn. Whoopi and Ray had better chemistry before the romance factor. Then again no movie is perfect.

That aside this is still a wonderful film. I have it on DVD and I still watch it when it comes on regular television. This is one movie that explores racism and death positively and negatively and how kids handle the attitudes of the adults around them. I found it fascinating that Molly grew so attached to Corrina she began to think of herself as black and Corrina became the mother she longed for.

It's a beautiful movie without sex, violence and profanity. Many movies can't hold your interest without these elements, but Corrina, Corrina will. See it at least once.

This movie is beautiful from start to finish.

Whoopi Goldberg is perfectly casted as Corrina, a black (well, duh) nanny who is employed by a white Jew (very well played by Ray Liotta), to take care of his daughter Molly (again excellently played by Tina Majorino).

The plot. Manny Singer's (Ray) wife has just died leaving him and his 7 year old daughter (Tina) behind. Molly is a little lost after this and she doesn't speak a word to her father or anyone else. After employing a plethora of disastrous nannys Manny finally comes to Corrina, who is perfect. One problem: She's black, he's white, and this is 1959 segregated America.

After a little while Molly begins to talk again and is generally uplifted by Corrina, who seems to have this miraculous way of bringing people back to their feet, including Manny. Corrina and Manny fall in love against all odds, and what you get is a beautiful interracial romance that at that time is classed as wrong, even abnormal. No one approves apart from Molly and her Grandfather (Don Ameche).

One down side to this film, and I will add that it is the only down side, is the ending - you don't really know what happens. If I hadn't done a little research then I wouldn't have known that director Jessie Nelson had based this film on her true life story. She's black and her now husband of 40 odd years was white. This story is her story. They got married and lived happily ever after - but we have to guess. So the ending could have used a little bit more work. But that's it!! The movie is just wonderful. It's uplifting, heartbreaking, humorous and romantic.