Week 4 Day 1: Putting The Character To The Test – MY COUSIN VINNY

[Sherry Miller]

Vinny, a lawyer who never won a case, and Mona Lisa Vita, his girlfriend (fiance) are put to a relationship test in this scene. They must win a murder case that involves a family member who asks for help. What drives this scene as it begins is the argument they have before she’s called to the stand by Vinny. She’s hurt, vulnerable. He’s agitated but determined. 3rd player in this is the prosecutor who’s smug, cocky, and nervous. He believes her testimony won’t matter because she’s dumb. Mona is street-wise but her unrefined speech makes her seem what she isn’t. Her secret? She’s actually much smarter, understands legal, and is an automotive expert. Just so happens Vinny is defending his cousin and friend who owns the same type of car as the murderer. Mona doesn’t want to be here after the argument so she acts feisty, emotional, outspoken, talkative, and throws barbs. Her character test is interrogation. Vinney’s desperate because he doesn’t want to disappoint family or himself. His test is how he handles her; at the same time court. The prosecutor thinks this will be easy, so he asks, “What do you do in your Father’s garage?” She answers, haughty…”engine-building, mechanics, tire changes.” Then comes the test question: “Does that qualify you to be an expert on tire marks?” Love that this dialog ends with “tire marks.” And not “expert.” Vinny offers that she has more expertise, eyeing her, challenging her to show her expertise. So, the unsuspecting prosecutor falls into the trap, asking a completely bogus, made-up question about a certain Chevy car, even adding the wrong year of manufacture. The challenge is on and Mona can’t resist. “Bull-shit question,” she offers. “Because you don’t know the answer.” The challenge continues. “Watch this,” Vinny says under his breath, smiling. As an audience, we’re ready for a bomb-shell or defeat. Miss Mona Lisa hedges, “That’s impossible to answer.” then adds, “because no can answer. It’s a trick question.” The judge asks, “How so?” She launches into a long involved answer about why it’s crap. Because that model of Chevy was actually made in ’65, not ’55, etc. Loved that part so much and the stunned look on the prosecutor’s face as well as Vinny’s satisfaction folding his arms, stretching out his legs with that “told ‘ya” look on his face. He wins a case for the first time! The dialog and actions give these characters depth. We know more about them: Loyalties, determination, anger, love. This test went well for the characters with a positive outcome. The scene is built around relationship drama and plays out in the perfect spot for drama – a courtroom. One thing I noticed: How Vinny and Mona Lisa interacted in the courtroom is how they interact with each other in real life.