Benny Pearl (Aidan Quinn) works as a mechanic for a living to support his "sick" sister Joon (Mary Stuart Masterson). Though never stated, Joon is schizophrenic, and has good days and bad days. She's gotten every single housekeeper Benny's hired fired, and it seems like Benny has no choice but to put Joon into a special group home. But Benny loves his sister too much to do that, and he feels that she needs him to survive.
However, Benny does enjoy his time away from Joon, whenever he can get away. He plays poker with his friends, not for money, but different things: baseball tickets, a stehoscope... this and that, basically.
During one such poker game, Joon plays Benny's hand for him and wins one of the other player's cousins. This man is Sam (Johnny Depp). Sam is enthralled with Buster Keaton, and even dresses the part. He can perform Keaton like he was really the legend himself... he is quite amazing to watch.
At first, Benny hates this Sam. But Sam grows on him, and soon has Benny beliveing that Sam has potential to be the "next" Buster Keaton. But Sam has also grown on Joon, and the two fall in love... which Benny will not allow to happen.
Johnny Depp is amazing as the Buster Keaton Wannabe in Benny And Joon. His best scene is the show-stopping "frolic in the park" where he morphs into Keaton and goes crazy on Benny for about ten minutes. Johnny was remarkable in this scene; he was as good as Jim Carrey was turning into Andy Kaufman in Man on the Moon. Johnny doesn't speak much in the film, but his actions speak louder than his words. He has terrific chemistry with Mary Stuart Masterson, who is also really good as the schizophrenic.
Enhanced only by it's terrific soundtrack, Depp and Masterson are simply amazing together in this delightfully funny and charming must-see film.
Plot: 
The plot is your simple romantic comedy story with different, interesting characters to back up a good screenplay.
Visual Effects: 
The are few visual or special effects which are hardly missed and are made up with wonderful cinematography. The only downside to the film are the shots of trains in the opening scene. They look incredibly fake, as if they were filming a model train set. (But it is a pretty realistic model train set a that.)
Sound:
The Proclaimer's (I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles (one of my all time favorite songs) was originally released in 1987, but shot to #1 on the Billboard chart when included in Benny and Joon. Reportedly, Mary Stuart Masterson asked for the song to be included in the film. This song made the Soundtrack a #1 hit, as well.
The score of Benny and Joon, along with the other songs in this film, Have a Little Faith in Me and Can't Find My Way Home, only add to the picture.
Character Development:
What was really great about Benny and Joon was that you learn a lot about the main characters. We learn why Benny takes care of Joon. We know about Sam's life. We even know about Ruthie's (Benny's love interest) past, too.
The story itself wraps up very nicely, and leaves no loose ends to deal with. The story goes full circle, to which many films - even some really good ones -fail to do.
Atmosphere:
The song (I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles plays almost instantly when the picture starts. It is such an energetic song and really gets you in the right mood to watch this film.
Realism:
Warren’s Rating:
9.28/10 Is the movie worth your time to watch?
15-02-05
