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Corrina, Corrina (film)
Encyclopedia
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.
) 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.
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." 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."
Ray Liotta
[File:Ray Liotta is an American actor, best known for his portrayal of Henry Hill in the crime-drama Goodfellas, directed by Martin Scorsese and his role as Shoeless Joe Jackson in Field of Dreams...
) who hires a housekeeper/nanny (Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg is an American comedian, actress, singer-songwriter, political activist, author and talk show host.Goldberg made her film debut in The Color Purple playing Celie, a mistreated black woman in the Deep South. She received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress and won...
) to care for his daughter (Tina Majorino
Tina Majorino
Tina Marie Majorino is an American film and television actress. She started her career as a child actor, starring in films such as Andre; When a Man Loves a Woman; Corrina, Corrina; and Waterworld...
). It was written and directed by Jessie Nelson. It was the last film Don Ameche
Don Ameche
Don Ameche was an Academy Award winning American actor with a career spanning almost sixty years.-Personal life:...
made; he died after filming was completed.
Plot
When his wife dies, Manny Singer (Ray LiottaRay Liotta
[File:Ray Liotta is an American actor, best known for his portrayal of Henry Hill in the crime-drama Goodfellas, directed by Martin Scorsese and his role as Shoeless Joe Jackson in Field of Dreams...
) 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
Joan Cusack
Joan Mary Cusack is an American film, stage and television actress. Throughout her career, Cusack has appeared in many films as well as appearing in stage productions....
) who tries to seduce him, Corrina (Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg is an American comedian, actress, singer-songwriter, political activist, author and talk show host.Goldberg made her film debut in The Color Purple playing Celie, a mistreated black woman in the Deep South. She received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress and won...
) 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 Whoopi Goldberg Whoopi Goldberg is an American comedian, actress, singer-songwriter, political activist, author and talk show host.Goldberg made her film debut in The Color Purple playing Celie, a mistreated black woman in the Deep South. She received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress and won... |
Corrina Washington |
| Ray Liotta Ray Liotta [File:Ray Liotta is an American actor, best known for his portrayal of Henry Hill in the crime-drama Goodfellas, directed by Martin Scorsese and his role as Shoeless Joe Jackson in Field of Dreams... |
Manny Singer |
| Tina Majorino Tina Majorino Tina Marie Majorino is an American film and television actress. She started her career as a child actor, starring in films such as Andre; When a Man Loves a Woman; Corrina, Corrina; and Waterworld... |
Molly Singer |
| Jenifer Lewis Jenifer Lewis Jenifer Jeanette Lewis is an American film and television actress and singer.-Early life:Lewis was born in Kinloch, Missouri, to a nurse's aid mother and a factory worker father. She attended college at Webster University in Webster Groves, Missouri... |
Jevina |
| Wendy Crewson Wendy Crewson -Life and career:Crewson was born in Hamilton, Ontario, the daughter of June Doreen and Robert Binnie Crewson. She attended Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, where she won the prestigious Lorne Greene Award for outstanding work in the theater. She then studied at the Webber Douglas Academy... |
Jenny Davis |
| Don Ameche Don Ameche Don Ameche was an Academy Award winning American actor with a career spanning almost sixty years.-Personal life:... |
Grandpa Harry |
| Erica Yohn Erica Yohn Erica Yohn is an American actress. She has had many small parts in American movies and television shows, including ER, Murphy Brown, Quantum Leap and Kojak. She has also had recurring roles on State of Grace, Beverly Hills, 90210, and Picket Fences.-External links:... |
Grandma Eva |
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 EbertRoger Ebert
Roger Joseph Ebert is an American film critic and screenwriter. He is the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.Ebert is known for his film review column and for the television programs Sneak Previews, At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, and Siskel and Ebert and The...
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." Janet Maslin
Janet Maslin
Janet Maslin is an American journalist, best known as a film and literary critic for The New York Times. She served as the Times film critic from 1977–1999.- Biography :...
of The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
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."