``Benny & Joon'' A bouquet of flowers instead of words, a masterpiece from Johnny Depp's early years

bouquet of roses

Benny is clearly reluctant to institutionalize June. And he is afraid that June will disappear before his eyes. Benny probably regrets taking out his anger on Sam and June. A dazed Benny stops by Lucy's house as if he is being guided by something. Benny realizes that Lucy is the "home" he wants to return to, and begins to think about the "home" that June should return to. These emotional movements are never revealed through dialogue. However, it is clearly conveyed to those who watch it. Aidan Quinn's restrained performance, which can be said to be a somewhat underwhelming role, should be praised along with Depp and Masterson.

The scene where June runs away from home with Sam and gradually begins to panic on the bus is also wonderful. Once again, dialogue is kept to a minimum and the spotlight is placed on Masterson's solo performance. Sam can only see June through the bus window as she panics. June ends up being protected in a facility.

"Benny & Joon" (c)Photofest / Getty Images

Opportunities to recover from failures await. This time, Sam manages to get June's smile back through the window. Sam takes off his hat and greets June with a bow. Behave like a gentleman and respect her. It is here that Sam receives her as a knight for the first time. His gentlemanly behavior is contagious to Benny. Benny, holding a bouquet of roses, gives white roses to Lucy and pink roses to his lovers. Benny witnesses the non-verbal communication between lovers. A bouquet of roses was gently placed on the floor so as not to disturb the couple's time. Silence is also respected here. Benny is learning from them how to show civility through gestures.

The pink roses that celebrate the couple's departure continue to emit dazzling colors like June's oil paintings. A bouquet of flowers instead of words. If I were to compare the work ``Benny & Joon'' to a flower, I can't think of anything other than a rose.

*1 “DEPP” (written by Christopher Heard, translated by Takako Matsui)

*2 INLANDERSpIFF 2018: Benny & Joon director Jeremiah Chechik talks about how Spokane influenced the film”

Text: Daiji Miyashiro (maplecat-eve)

Movie criticism. Contributed reviews to ``Leos Carax: Movie Wanderer'', Eureka's ``Wes Anderson Special'', Real Sound, Soen, otocoto, Toshio Matsumoto Special Pamphlet, etc.

Watch now

View work information

(c) Photofest / Getty Images