Corrina, Corrina (1994)

This is a great family movie, an engaging and heartwarming story the kids can watch, too. How refreshing.The plot revolves around a young widower, Manny, and his little girl, Molly, who has essentially shut down following the recent death of her mother. To bring his daughter 'back to life' so to speak, he hires a spirited but enchanting new housekeeper named...yes, you guessed it... Corrina, portrayed to perfection by Whoopi Goldberg. As you might imagine, not only does Corrina form a touching bond straight away with Molly, but another bond of a different type seems to be developing with her father...The 1950's setting is wonderful. Of course race becomes something of an issue here (white employer, black housekeeper) and that era gives it all the more impact. Corrina's (black, needless to say) family and her relationship to it are well portrayed in the film . Also, Corrina isn't exactly docile, will not be trodden upon, and has no difficulty in speaking her piece to her new employer, a feat which, as you can imagine, Whoopi is more than capable of pulling off.The little actress playing Molly is a jewel. Her character is spirited with a mind of her own as well. Lovable but a bit of a handful in her own right. Her matchmaking attempts are really cute, especially a certain phone conversation she has with Corrina.Wonderful family film. If you don't like this, I can only conclude that neither do you like apple pie, koalas, roses, fireworks etc...

I loved this movie. The acting was excellent, especially the three main stars, Whoopie, Ray and Tina, but the subject matter was handled well too. I think this movie shows that love has no color or financial restraints - it's about compassion, understanding, honesty, and companionship. I, too, have watched it again and again and still love it as much as the first time. And yes, Ray Liotta can act in just about any type of picture. I first saw Ray on soaps way back when and he has developed into one of my favorite actors. If he's in a picture, I want to see what he does with the role. Much like Don Cheadle. Massive talents that go largely unnoticed. And Ray's parents in the movie were excellent as well. It's just such a charming picture with strong, understated performances. I can't recommend it highly enough.

I think, what I have seen lacking in the comments about this film, are the sociological aspects that are addressed. In my opinion, the film is not just a sweet story, it speaks of the issues that our society has about both race and about social class in our society - both in the 50's as well as today. It IS a movie about love across social boundaries, it can also speak to the seeming obsession of society about the differences of, not only race, but also religion. What is wonderful about this movie is that it shows that this obsession goes both ways. And it has come to a point where, understandably,members of the most persecuted groups in out society, end up in situations, like in Corrina, Corrina, where they themselves are pressured by their own family and community to sever the relationship that they want to be in. This movie shows the pressure that both "sides" go through when deciding to enter an inter-racial or even an inter-faith relationship, and it shows that sometimes the pressure put on the member of a certain group in society goes through, more because their community feels, although often for good reasons, that the person of the "dominant" community, whatever it may be in whatever society, is not to be trusted. This movie shows that sometimes love and trust are true, regardless of the real and regardless of the sometimes imagined boundaries that society can place between people.

Don't overlook this one. The formula in this film has been done better before, but probably not among the romantic comedies churned out by Hollywood in the 80s and 90s.Corrina, Corrina is a mainstream Hollywood romantic comedy that unfortunately falls into some of the banal conventions of this often overworked genre. It is an overly simplistic, often implausible fantasy but is more than redeemed by its unorthodox (for Hollywood) direction, lighting, and acting.Also, the soundtrack (made up of jazz greats like Bill Evans) is one of the best I've heard in a mainstream flick.Oh yea, and Tina Majorino is spectacular.