My Cousin Vinny

My Cousin Vinny

Year: 1992

Runtime: 120 min

Language: English

Director: Jonathan Lynn

ComedyCrime

A young, inexperienced lawyer from New York City, Vinny, travels to rural Alabama to defend his teenage cousin and his friend, who are accused of murder. Facing a challenging legal landscape and skeptical locals, Vinny must rely on his wit and resourcefulness to prove their innocence and overcome his lack of courtroom experience. He quickly learns that proving their innocence will be more difficult than he initially thought.

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Timeline – My Cousin Vinny (1992)

Trace every key event in My Cousin Vinny (1992) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Arrival in Beechum County

Bill Gambini and his friend Stan Rothenstein arrive in Beechum County, Alabama, during a road trip, expecting a leisurely visit. However, their journey quickly takes a turn as they unwittingly become involved in a serious legal situation.

Beechum County, Alabama
2

Convenience Store Incident

After a quick stop at a convenience store, Bill and Stan inadvertently forget to pay for a can of tuna. Tragically, shortly after they leave, the store clerk is shot dead, setting off a chain of events that would change their lives.

Convenience Store
3

Arrest by Sheriff

The local sheriff, Farley, pulls over Bill and Stan after witnesses mistakenly identify them as the culprits. They are taken into custody, and the seriousness of their situation begins to dawn on them as they are charged in relation to the murder.

Beechum County
4

Hasty Confession

Believing they are merely being detained for shoplifting, Bill makes a rash declaration that he shot the clerk. This misinterpretation escalates the situation as he faces murder charges while Stan is implicated as an accessory.

Police Station
5

Vinny Comes to the Rescue

In despair, Bill calls his mother, who informs him about their family attorney, Vincent LaGuardia 'Vinny' Gambini. Vinny arrives in Beechum County with his fiancée, Mona Lisa Vito, despite his lack of trial experience.

Beechum County
6

Courtroom Challenges Begin

Vinny faces immediate challenges in the courtroom due to his inexperience and unprofessional attire, which leads to a contempt charge. The stoic Judge Chamberlain Haller quickly grows impatient with Vinny's antics.

Courtroom
7

Witness Examination Fumbles

As Vinny attempts to question the key witnesses, he struggles to convey his points effectively. Missteps make it seem like the prosecution, led by Jim Trotter III, has a solid case against Bill and Stan.

Courtroom
8

Vinny’s Realization

Despite the mounting pressure, Vinny realizes that the prosecution's case is primarily based on circumstantial evidence. He decides to use a card trick analogy to demonstrate the weaknesses in Trotter's claims to Billy.

Courtroom
9

Trial Begins

The trial officially begins, and Vinny makes a memorable entrance in a flashy tuxedo. His awkward first impressions quickly turn to determination as he adopts an energetic questioning style against the witness testimonies.

Courtroom
10

Dismantling Prosecution's Case

Vinny begins dismantling the prosecution's case by uncovering inconsistencies in witness testimonies. This becomes evident when he questions a man who recalls preparing grits during the time of the crime, leading to doubt about their credibility.

Courtroom
11

FBI Expert's Testimony

Unexpectedly, an FBI expert testifies about tire markings connected to Billy’s vehicle, complicating the defense. Vinny realizes he needs Mona Lisa's knowledge about cars to effectively counter this testimony.

Courtroom
12

Mona Lisa's Expertise

Mona Lisa successfully takes the stand to testify that the tire marks could not possibly belong to a 1964 Buick Skylark, but instead are from a 1963 Pontiac Tempest. This pivotal testimony shifts the momentum in the courtroom.

Courtroom
13

Uncovering New Evidence

Vinny’s strategic questioning of Sheriff reveals that another duo resembling Bill and Stan had been caught driving the same stolen Pontiac with the murder weapon. This crucial evidence strengthens their defense.

Courtroom
14

Charges Dismissed

After a thrilling courtroom battle, District Attorney Jim Trotter III concedes and moves to dismiss all charges against Bill and Stan, recognizing Vinny's successful arguments and strategic maneuvers.

Courtroom
15

A Heartfelt Conclusion

The film culminates in a lighthearted moment as Vinny and Mona Lisa drive away, joking about their wedding plans. This ending reinforces the ups and downs of their tumultuous journey together throughout the ordeal.

Last Updated: April 16, 2025 at 14:33

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Characters, Settings & Themes in My Cousin Vinny

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