Corinna, Corinna

Corinna, Corinna (film)

Rated PG, 1994

Stars, Whoopi Goldberg as Corrina Washington, Ray Liotta as Manny Singer, Tina Majorino as Molly Singer, Wendy Crewson as Jenny Davis, Larry Miller as Sid

From book by Jessie Nelson

Produced by New Line Cinema

A housekeeper tries to break through the silence of a traumatized child in this touching comedy-drama featuring Whoopi Goldberg. The story, set during the 1950's, is a loose adaptation of the autobiographical experiences of writer/director Jessie Nelson. Manny Singer, who writes jingles at an ad agency, is devastated by his wife's abrupt death from cancer. To handle his grief he becomes deeply involved with his work. His 9-year old daughter Molly is even more devastated and has completely stopped talking. Her muteness worries Manny and he desperately searches for a maid that can care for her. After many interviews, he hires Corrina Washington, an educated, spunky, and slightly eccentric woman whom he thinks Molly will relate to. The woman and child do indeed gradually bond. Manny too is drawn to Corrina and they begin an interracial romance that was at times complicated by racism. The story does have an upbeat ending though. -- Sandra Brennan (All-Media Guide)

EMPATHY

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