I recently saw the movie My Cousin Vinny--a comedy set in Alabama, released in 1992. Although it can boast big names such as Ralph Macchio & Joe Pesci(both who I love love love) the standout for me was an actress that I never heard before--Marisa Tomei.
Her character of Mona Lisa Vito is the epitome of early 90's wonderfulness. With an unmistakeable Brooklyn accent and hair that puts her tiny frame probably to 5'2, Mona Lisa surprisingly knows everything about cars, (her fathah was a mechanic, her brothah was a mechanic...) and "saves the day" so to speak near the end of the movie. Although there might not seem much behind her outlandish getups, bright red lipstick, killer studded sunglasses, and need for "chwinese foood," Mona Lisa is much, much more than just another Brooklyn girl. Sadly, I will never be able to blow out my hair or wear shoulder pads and skin-tight jumpsuits, but there's no harm in saying "wadda ya tawkin about" every now and then.
