My Cousin Vinny

How time flies? Can you believe that it has been over 25 years since “My Cousin Vinny” was filmed right here in Jasper County? The movie was a true hit making over five times the production budget. If Sherman’s March through Georgia did not put Jasper County on the map, this little jewel of a movie did. For sure.

Last week I had some girls down just because we could. They got the abbreviated Janet tour of Monticello since we got one of those “frog strangler, gully washer “ rain storms.

As we were sauntering around the square, the showers started and we retreated to the courthouse to see the beautiful skylight in the lobby and then proceed to the courtroom where everyone was inspired to tell about their favorite scene from “Vinny.” LOL. We took Georgia 16 back to our rental so we could pass by the Sac-O-Suds which we meant to visit, but had some hurricane-strength bands of rain preventing this little side trip.

“Vinny” indeed put us on the map, sorry there is no yearly film festival. Yet. Maybe someday. No matter where you might roam, when someone asks where you are from, you just say, “Why you’ve seen where I am from.” With a puzzled look on their face, you proceed to ask proudly, “Well, you’ve seen “My Cousin Vinny” right?”

And they reply affirmatively. “Well, that town is where I live.”

Mona Lisa Vito, AKA Marisa Tomei, won the Oscar for her portrayal of the expert automobile witness and utters a line that the script writer said he made up, “Dead on balls accurate.” Another line that is often quoted is “two yutes” spoken by Defense Attorney Vincent LaGuardia “Vinny” Gambini. Joe Pesci had just won an Oscar for “Goodfellas” while they were filming “Vinny” and brought it to the set one day. Decatur, Georgia’s own, Lou Walker, is best known for his famous “grits” speech. There are many great quotes and performances.

Probably the most astounding fact is this movie is listed on the American Bar Association List of Greatest Legal Movies. According to sources, law students are encouraged to learn from the movie, courtroom strategy, efficient cross-examination, trial procedures, decorum, and the role of expert witnesses.

Now there’s a “selfie spot” at Sac-O-Suds to commemorate this film history right here in our town.