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My Cousin Vinny

My Cousin Vinny is a 1992 American legal comedy film directed by Jonathan Lynn and written by Dale Launer.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

My Cousin Vinny is a 1992 American legal comedy film directed by Jonathan Lynn and written by Dale Launer. It stars Joe Pesci as Vincent Gambini, an inexperienced New York lawyer who travels to Alabama to defend his cousin and a friend in a murder case. The film also stars Marisa Tomei, Ralph Macchio, Mitchell Whitfield and Fred Gwynne.

Plot

The story centres on Bill Gambini and Stan Rothenstein, who are wrongly accused of murder in rural Alabama. Bill’s cousin Vinny, a recently qualified lawyer from New York, comes south to defend them.

Cast and characters

Joe Pesci stars as Vincent Gambini, with Marisa Tomei as Mona Lisa Vito, Ralph Macchio as William Gambini, Mitchell Whitfield as Stan Rothenstein and Fred Gwynne in a supporting role.

Production and release

The film was directed by Jonathan Lynn and written by Dale Launer. It was distributed by 20th Century Fox and released in the United States in March 1992.

Reception and legacy

My Cousin Vinny became a well-known courtroom comedy and is especially noted for Marisa Tomei’s performance, which won an Academy Award.

Key facts

  • The film follows two New Yorkers who are arrested in Alabama and accused of murder.
  • Joe Pesci plays Vincent Gambini, a lawyer trying his first criminal case.
  • Marisa Tomei plays Mona Lisa Vito, a role for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
  • The film was released in the United States on March 13, 1992.
  • Fred Gwynne gave his final film performance in the movie.
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Canadian context

The film is widely available and recognized in Canada as a popular American courtroom comedy, but it has no major uniquely Canadian subject matter.

Frequently asked questions

What is My Cousin Vinny about?
It is about two young men who are accused of murder in Alabama and defended by one man’s cousin, Vinny, a newly minted New York lawyer.
Who directed My Cousin Vinny?
Jonathan Lynn directed the film.
Who wrote My Cousin Vinny?
Dale Launer wrote the screenplay.
When was My Cousin Vinny released?
It was released in the United States on March 13, 1992.
Did Marisa Tomei win an award for the film?
Yes. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Mona Lisa Vito.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Cousin_Vinny
    Supports: Basic film identification, director, writer, cast, release date, distributor, and genre.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104952/
    Supports: Title, year, cast, and premise.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104952/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot synopsis involving the Alabama murder case and Vinny’s role as defense lawyer.
  4. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/my-cousin-vinny/umc.cmc.5v178lw6l4cyv3l7xskbxii29
    Supports: Runtime, cast, director, and synopsis.
  5. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/my-cousin-vinny-1992
    Supports: Critical description of the film’s premise and setting.