Corrina, Corrina

Corrina, Corrina is a lovely comedy drama romance from 1994 that my sister shared with me while I was visiting her. It is one of her favorite films, and I now understand why. The film can be considered a period piece, as the setting is Los Angeles in 1959. It is rated PG for thematic material.

Manny Singer (Ray Liotta) is a working father attempting to raise his only daughter Molly (Tina Majorino) after his wife unexpectedly passes away. He is forced to hire someone to look after his little seven-year-old girl who has understandably taken her mother’s passing very hard and is refusing to speak. After interviewing several candidates who are unsuitable for the important job, and burning through trial runs from some really horrendous women, most notably Jonesy (Joan Cusack), Corrina Washington (Whoopi Goldberg) arrives on the scene for her chance at the job.

Initially unimpressed, Manny notices that she has a way with Molly that the little girl responds to. No one else has been able to begin to penetrate the grief that Molly remains in, and Corrina is hired.

Now 1959 is squarely in the beginnings of the civil rights movement, and unfortunately, there is still a lot of prejudice in the city of angels. Despite the odds, Manny and Corrina develop some affection for each other, feelings they are mightily trying to avoid, as the days turn into weeks with her daily presence in the home.

The costumes and settings for this era are very well done, and the acting is great, with good chemistry between Corrina and Molly and between Corrina and Manny. Ray Liotta plays his role well, and really, who could resist those blue eyes and that shy smile he is known for?

Molly gets a glimpse into the lives of black families in LA as Corrina totes her around with her instead of going to school, a choice that ends up placing her in estrangement from Manny, who was not consulted on this important decision.

The dialogue is spot on and makes the story believable. Manny and Corrina like a little bit of jazz, and this makes the selections for the soundtrack wonderful. The film was written and directed by Jessie Nelson. I’d like to see other films by her, one of which is Stepmom that I’m told is quite good. Don Ameche has a small turn as Grandpa Harry. It was the Oscar winner’s final film prior to his death.

This is a heartwarming film, one that I think you would find entertaining and thought provoking. How far have we really come in these last nearly six decades in terms of race relations in America? I think not quite far enough; there always seem to be more steps to take for equality and understanding to really develop and take hold. Corrina, Corrina is an example for how to treat people and mend bridges, a fine example for our present days, and a sweet romantic comedy for a night at home.