Corrina, Corrina 1994

Family

Romance

Comedy

Box Office

$20M

Runtime

115 mins

Language

English

Directed by

Jessie Nelson

Made by

New Line Cinema

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Corrina, Corrina Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Corrina, Corrina (1994). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

In 1959 Los Angeles, Manny Singer, [Ray Liotta], is a recently widowed jingle writer trying to balance work with caring for his grieving daughter Molly, who has fallen silent after her mother Annie’s death. To fill the void, Manny hires a housekeeper-nanny, and Corrina Washington, [Whoopi Goldberg], interviews for the job; Molly responds to Corrina right away, and she quickly forms a deep bond with her. Corrina establishes a simple, nonverbal way for Molly to say “yes” or “no” with a nose tap, and she gently tells Molly that her mother is in heaven. Manny—an atheist, and the late Annie’s partner in belief—struggles with this religious approach, making their dynamic delicate from the start. Molly also begins to spend time with Corrina’s family and is introduced to their church community.

At an office party, Manny is introduced to Jenny Davis, [Wendy Crewson], a cheerful divorcee with two young sons, but he is not yet ready to date as he works through his grief. Corrina’s sister Jevina, [Jenifer Lewis], nudges Corrina to consider dating Anthony, a man from their community, yet Corrina herself shows no interest in that path. The tension surrounding Molly’s school and her growing bond with Corrina deepens when Molly returns to an all-white school and is mocked for including Corrina in a family portrait. Desperate to belong, Molly asks Corrina to stay home from school, and Corrina secretly agrees, taking Molly along on a second job cleaning other clients’ homes. Corrina’s involvement becomes increasingly indispensable, even helping Manny craft a fresh jingle and rhyme for a Jello campaign.

As Manny and Corrina’s teamwork and affection deepen, they discover shared values, humor, and a love of music that sustains them through prejudice and doubt. After the successful Jello advertising campaign, Manny returns home with flowers for Molly and Corrina, planning a celebratory dinner. Jenny’s unannounced visit disrupts their plans, and Corrina leaves when Manny doesn’t disclose their prior arrangements to her. The tension escalates, and the next day Corrina arrives flustered; they argue, yet their moment ends with an awkward kiss on the cheek witnessed by a nosy neighbor as Manny heads to work.

That night, Manny and Corrina speak about their absent spouses, share a moonlight dance, and kiss openly, witnessed by Molly. Molly, sensing the shift, asks Grandpa Harry, [Don Ameche], to help ensure that Manny and Corrina will marry. As their feelings deepen, they face the harsh reality of prejudice against their interracial pairing, testing their resolve and commitment.

After weeks of Molly skipping school, Corrina tells her she must return to class, and a furious Manny learns of the deception. He fires Corrina, and Molly withdraws again. Then comes the news that Harry has died, casting another ache over Manny’s grief. Following Harry’s funeral, Manny visits Corrina to apologize, and Corrina overhears Manny’s earnest prayer to God for help. She tells him she quits as his employee, and he reassures her that she has been replaced, before embracing and inviting him inside to meet her family.

In the final moments, Molly remains a beacon of resilience, singing This Little Light of Mine to cheer her grandmother Eva, [Erica Yohn] who joins in the song. When Manny and Corrina return, Molly runs to Corrina with a joyful embrace, signaling a hopeful new chapter for their blended family.

Corrina, Corrina Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Corrina, Corrina (1994) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Manny hires Corrina as Molly's nanny

The widowed jingle writer Manny Singer hires Corrina Washington to fill the void left by his wife's death. The first housekeeper quits quickly, and Corrina's arrival begins a new caregiving relationship. Corrina quickly forms a bond with Molly and helps establish a simple yes/no communication system to aid Molly.

1959 Los Angeles

Corrina comforts Molly about her mother

Corrina explains to Molly that her mother Annie is in heaven, offering a comforting explanation for her daughter's grief. This moment helps Molly begin to open up and accept Corrina's presence in her life. Manny, who is an atheist, watches with reserved hope as the healing begins.

1959 Los Angeles

Corrina's family welcomes Molly; church visits

Corrina's family warmly includes Molly, taking her to church and inviting her into their daily life. Molly's time with Corrina's relatives expands her sense of family and belonging beyond Manny's home. The experiences at church and with Corrina's relatives deepen the bond between Molly and Corrina.

1959 Los Angeles

Manny meets Jenny at office party

At an office party, Manny is introduced to Jenny, a perky divorcee with two young sons. He is not ready to date again since Annie's death, and he navigates his grief without rushing into a new romance. Jenny's presence introduces a potential complication in Manny's emotional life.

1959 Los Angeles

Corrina's sister encourages dating

Corrina's sister Jevina pushes her to date Anthony, a man from their race, hoping to expand Corrina's social circle. Corrina shows little interest, preferring to focus on Molly and Manny's family dynamic. The conversation highlights tensions around relationships and race in the era.

1959 Los Angeles

Molly returns to all-white school; mockery

Molly returns to an all-white school and is mocked for including Corrina in her family picture. The incident underscores the racial climate of the time and Molly's need for support. Corrina continues to offer support while Manny grapples with the situation.

1959 All-white school, Los Angeles

Molly's nightmare and parental grief shared

That night, Molly has a nightmare, and Corrina tells her she is allowed to be mad at her mother for dying. Manny admits how hurt he is about losing Annie and how much he misses her too, sharing his grief with Corrina. The moment deepens their emotional connection and mutual understanding.

1959 Manny's home

Corrina takes Molly on second job; bond grows

Desperate to keep Molly's healing going, Corrina quietly takes Molly along on a second job cleaning other clients' homes. The two spend long hours together, and Corrina becomes increasingly indispensable to Manny's family. Corrina also helps Manny develop a new jingle and rhyme for the Jello campaign.

1959 Various clients' homes; Los Angeles

Romance blossoms between Manny and Corrina

As they work closely together, Manny and Corrina discover shared values, humor, and a love of music. Their bond deepens into romance, culminating in a moonlit moment and a kiss that hints at a future together. The relationship begins to challenge the boundaries of their segregated, interracial world.

1959 Manny's home and neighborhood

Manny apologizes for Jenny's visit; neighbors notice

The morning after a planned celebration is interrupted by Jenny's uninvited visit. Manny apologizes for the disruption and for how they handled the situation, but their argument leads to an intimate kiss on the cheek that is seen by a nosy neighbor. The kiss marks a turning point in their relationship but also foreshadows trouble ahead.

1959 Manny's home; neighborhood

Moonlight dance and public kiss; vow to marry

That night, Corrina and Manny share a moonlight dance and a kiss, while Molly quietly witnesses the moment. Worried about their future, Molly asks her grandfather Harry to ensure Manny and Corrina can marry. The couple then confronts prejudice as an interracial relationship.

1959 Manny's home; neighborhood

Corrina tells Molly to return to school; Manny fires her

Weeks of playing hooky from school culminate in Corrina telling Molly she must return to school next week. When Manny receives a call from Molly's school, he erupts, insisting Corrina is not Molly's mother and fires her. Molly becomes withdrawn again, deepening the family's pain.

1959 Manny's home

Harry dies; Manny seeks reconciliation

Manny learns that Corrina's grandfather Harry has died, and he attends the funeral, pondering another loss. After Harry's funeral, Manny visits Corrina to apologize for firing her and to repair their relationship.

1959 Corrina's home / funeral

Corrina quits; pledge to meet her family

Corrina overhears Manny's heartfelt plea to God for help, and she tells him that she quits as his employee. He reassures her that she has been replaced, and they embrace and kiss before she brings him inside to formally meet her family. This moment seals their commitment despite external pressures.

1959 Corrina's home; Corrina's family

Final reunion and Molly's joy

Molly sings This Little Light of Mine to cheer up her grandmother Eva, who joins in to please her. Manny and Corrina return home, and Molly joyfully runs to Corrina, signaling the blended family has found its place at last. The film closes on a hopeful note for their future together.

End of 1959 Molly's home

Corrina, Corrina Characters

Explore all characters from Corrina, Corrina (1994). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

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

Corrina, Corrina Settings

Learn where and when Corrina, Corrina (1994) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

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

Corrina, Corrina Themes

Discover the main themes in Corrina, Corrina (1994). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🌈

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.

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Corrina, Corrina Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of Corrina, Corrina (1994). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In sun‑kissed 1959 Los Angeles, widower Manny Singer is trying to stitch together a life shattered by loss. A jingle writer by trade, he now finds his days filled with quiet housework and the soft echo of his daughter Molly’s sudden silence. Determined to bring some normalcy back to the home, Manny places an ad for help, opening the door to a vibrant new presence.

Enter Corrina Washington, a warm‑hearted housekeeper whose laugh seems to carry the rhythm of a different world. From the moment she steps through the front door, her easy confidence and undeniable kindness begin to draw Molly out of her shell, teaching her a simple way to communicate and offering gentle explanations about the afterlife that clash with Manny’s skeptical outlook. Their bond unfolds against the backdrop of a tightly knit, often conservative neighborhood, where the very sight of an interracial friendship hints at both curiosity and unease.

As Corrina settles in, the household’s daily routines start to hum with a new energy. Manny’s demanding work on advertising jingles and his cautious navigation of grief are mirrored by Corrina’s own quiet strength and subtle humor. New acquaintances—such as the lively divorcee Jenny Davis and Corrina’s supportive sister—add layers of warmth and occasional tension, suggesting that the house may become a place where lingering sorrow, budding affection, and the realities of 1950s social expectations intersect. The film’s tone remains tender and hopeful, inviting viewers to wonder how this unlikely family will learn to speak, love, and heal together.

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