THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 23, 1994 TAG: 9409230059
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TAMAR ANITAI, TEENOLOGY MOVIE CRITIC
LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
WITH SOME OF the junk that's on the screen, I don't blame you for staying home and catching all the good movies on pay-per-view that you missed at the theater. It's understandable. But ``Corrina, Corrina'' is actually worth going out for.
When Manny Singer tragically loses his wife, he is forced to hire a baby sitter/maid to look after his 7-year-old daughter, Molly. Molly, confused about her mother's unexpected death, becomes mute. The current sitter is just a little too odd and can't play the role of mommy too well. But who should walk up the drive and liven up the place but Whoopi Goldberg, playing Corrina Washington.
Corrina is an educated, no-nonsense, worldly type. Little Molly can't resist Corrina's golden heart and confides in her. Under Corrina's care, Molly begins to heal.
The movie takes place in the '50s, when interracial relationships were heavily frowned upon. What so impressed me was the clever avoidance of contrivance. Instead, the movie looks at death, love and racism in a light that everyone can understand.
Ray Liotta, who plays Manny Singer, developed a normal but highly believable character who makes you want to help him, not out of pity but because you care.
Tina Majorino, who plays Molly Singer, gets more and more adorable in every scene. Hers is definitely a face we need to see more of on the screen.
Goldberg gives another spectacular performance. There seems to be a little bit of Whoopi in every character she plays, which makes them personally hers. She is a joy to watch and brings life to everything she touches.
``Corrina, Corrina'' is one of the sweetest, most wholesome movies in a long time. Nothing about it needs polishing because no flaws are apparent. Its great cast, plot and believability make it worthwhile. This lighthearted look at life will leave you touched and smiling. Turn off pay-per-view, ``Corrina, Corrina'' is worth the drive. MEMO: ``Corrina, Corinna'' is rated PG.
ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Whoopi Goldberg is superb as a nanny in ``Corrina, Corrina.''
Tamar Anitai is a junior at First Colonial High School.
by CNB