Scene of the Week: Benny & Joon

There are a lot of differing opinions on Johnny Depp, but there is one thing I think we can all agree on and that is he is one talented actor. From large budget actions movies like Pirates of The Caribbean to horror movies like A Nightmare on Elm Street to even musicals like Sweeney Todd, Depp has starred in them all. Even such minor movies, in the eyes of an action movie fan, like romantic comedies has Depp shining. One such movie is Benny & Joon, and Depp shines so brightly that I always forget that Depp plays neither Benny nor Joon! Benny & Joon may deal with mental illness and romance, but just give me Johnny Depp doing his best Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin.

This week’s Scene of the Week takes a look at Sam doing some high flying acrobatics on a swing at a mental hospital trying to get back together with Joon (Mary Stuart Masterson) which was brought on by a little help from Benny (Aidan Quinn). Depp’s physical comedy and expressive face is on full display just like the silent films stars of yesteryear. Sam swinging by just as Dr. Garvey (C.C.H. Pounder) looks away gets me every time.