Corrina, Corrina

Corrina, Corrina

Year: 1994

Runtime: 115 mins

Language: English

Director: Jessie Nelson

FamilyRomanceComedyRelationship comedyEmotional and touching family dramas

After Manny Singer’s wife dies, his daughter Molly becomes mute. To help, Manny hires lively housekeeper Corrina Washington. Corrina’s kindness draws Molly out of her shell and brings a brighter life to the family, while her growing closeness with Manny wins Molly’s affection but upsets the town’s conservative neighbors.

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Timeline & Setting – Corrina, Corrina (1994)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Corrina, Corrina (1994). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1959

The events unfold in 1959 Los Angeles, a period of postwar optimism tempered by lingering racial and social conventions. Traditional norms still influence daily life, especially around marriage, parenting, and race. The setting highlights the challenges and possibilities of interracial relationships within a close-knit family.

Location

Los Angeles, California

Set in late-1950s Los Angeles, the film depicts a sunlit, sprawling city where family life and social change intersect. The backdrop includes mid-century homes, busy streets, and church gatherings that shape the characters’ routines. The era’s evolving attitudes toward race, class, and family roles provide the tension and context for the story.

🌆 City 🕰️ 1959 🧑🏾‍🤝‍🧑🏿 Race relations

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:15

Main Characters – Corrina, Corrina (1994)

Meet the key characters of Corrina, Corrina (1994), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Manny Singer (Ray Liotta)

Widowed jingle writer and Molly’s father who is grieving the loss of his wife, Annie. Practical and protective, he struggles with balancing his daughter's needs and his own lingering pain. He is skeptical of Corrina’s presence at first and wary of an interracial relationship, yet his love for Molly gradually opens him to new possibilities. By the end, he chooses family, forgiveness, and a future with Corrina.

🎭 Drama 🏠 Domestic life 💬 Communication

Corrina Washington (Whoopi Goldberg)

A warm, resourceful housekeeper-nanny who becomes Molly’s confidante and the emotional anchor of the family. She navigates the complexities of being an African-American woman welcomed into a white, middle-class household with grace and determination. Her bond with Molly softens Manny’s resistance and earns the family’s trust while asserting her own dignity.

🎭 Drama 🤝 Family 💪 Strength

Molly Singer (Tina Majorino)

Manny and Annie’s young daughter, a quiet girl who is grieving and initially nonverbal after her mother’s death. She forms a strong, healing bond with Corrina and communicates with her through a simple yes/no system. Her experiences at an all-white school reveal the sting of prejudice, but Corrina’s presence provides comfort and hope.

🎀 Child 🧸 Family 🗣️ Communication

Grandpa Harry (Don Ameche)

Molly’s gentle grandfather who embodies warmth and traditional values. His death becomes a catalyst for Manny to confront his grief and reassess his relationship with Corrina. He represents the older generation’s perspective on family and loyalty, and his passing prompts reconciliation and growth.

👴 Family 🕊️ Loss

Jenny Davis (Wendy Crewson)

Manny’s ex-wife and a divorcee with two young sons. Her presence at key moments creates tension and tests the boundaries of Manny and Corrina’s evolving relationship, highlighting social expectations and the fragility of new bonds.

💃 Relationship 🗯️ Tension 👩🏻‍💼 Ex-wife

Jevina Washington (Jenifer Lewis)

Corrina’s sister who pushes Corrina to pursue dating and maintain family ties. She offers a pragmatic, supportive voice, balancing care for Corrina with loyalty to the family’s needs.

👩‍👧 Family 🗣️ Advice ✊ Support

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:15

Major Themes – Corrina, Corrina (1994)

Explore the central themes of Corrina, Corrina (1994), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌈 Interracial Romance

A romantic bond forms between Manny and Corrina amid 1950s social expectations. They face prejudice from neighbors, relatives, and institutions, forcing them to define what family means on their own terms. The relationship develops through shared values, humor, and mutual respect, challenging stereotypes.

💔 Grief & Healing

Molly’s grief over her mother’s death drives the emotional core of the story and shapes her interactions with Corrina. Manny also grapples with loss, learning to express vulnerability and seek connection. Corrina’s nurturing presence helps both father and daughter move toward healing.

🎵 Music & Family

Music acts as a bridge between characters, with Manny drafting jingles and Corrina sharing songs that comfort Molly. Musical moments symbolize belonging and renewal, reinforcing the family’s evolving bonds. The creative process underscores how art can unify a blended family.

⚖️ Societal Pressure

The film explores how prejudice and social norms challenge an interracial pairing. Neighbors, coworkers, and institutions test the couple’s commitment and resilience. Small acts of courage and empathy reshape perceptions of what constitutes a family.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:15

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Corrina, Corrina Timeline

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