That's probably not so surprising, seeing as it is a vehicle for the comic talents of Steve Martin. In it, Martin plays Vincent ("Vinne") Antonelli, an organized crime figure who has been tucked away in Witness Protection. He is supposed to keep a low profile, marking the days in a fictional San Diego, California suburb until he can testify against some mob bosses.
Vinnie does not do "low profile."
And that is only one of the challenges faced by his minder, FBI Agent Barney Coopersmith (Rick Moranis). A huge problem for Barney is that Vinnie appears to be an habitual criminal, constitutionally unable to pass up almost any chance for illegal gain.
Vinnie has some (seeming) flaws that keep him from succeeding in the world of organized crime. For example, when asked about his shooting skills, he swears, "I never touched a gun in my life. That and that alone forever doomed me to middle management."
The real problems, though, for someone in his world is what we observe through the course of the movie: Vinnie makes and keeps friends. He is loyal. He likes to help people. He likes children. He is a romantic. And, as he confides to Barney after attempting to tip a flight attendant, "Its not tipping I believe in. It's overtipping."
Middle management, indeed.
There's a scene where he tells Barney, "Now when I say 'I'm with you,' I don't mean it like an expression, like I'm saying 'I understand what you mean.' I mean, I'm. With. You." At the time, Vinnie was using the phrase to leverage himself out of having been caught committing credit card fraud.
But the phrase keeps coming back to the viewer as Vinnie, time and time again, acts positively toward Barney; teaching him how to dance the méringue (yes; named after the dessert), how to woo the woman he loves, even how to dress for success. And, perhaps most importantly, how to relax and enjoy life.
Vinnie really was with Barney. He made himself part of Barney's life; all the parts of Barney's life ... and Barney was the better for it. No, it was not a smooth process (and where would be the fun in that?). But over the course of their time together, Vinnie became Barney's friend; a true friend. The very person any of us would want in our lives, even if that person made us a bit uncomfortable from time to time; even if we couldn't control them or predict their behavior.
The relationship would be worth it.
In this week's Lectionary selection from the Prophet Haggai, God says: "...take courage, all you people of the land, says the LORD; work, for I am with you, says the LORD of hosts, according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you; do not fear." (Haggai 1:4-5 NRSV)
God is not just present, and His declaration is not just "an expression." He is saying He will be with his people through everything that is coming, through good and bad; that He plans to "abide" with them, to come and to stay. Long before Jesus came to earth, God declared "Immanuel" to His people.
He said to them and is saying to us, "I'm. With. You."
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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
Proper 27 (32) (November 6, 2016)
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/
First reading and Psalm
Haggai 1:15b-2:9
Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 or Psalm 98
Alternate First reading and Psalm
Job 19:23-27a
Psalm 17:1-9
Second reading
2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17
Gospel
Luke 20:27-38
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Come and be with us at Lectionary Breakfast, Friday morning. We still meet at 8:00 at the Waco "Egg and I" restaurant and we would love for you to join us.
Sure, the food's tasty, but the real treat is getting to spend time with each other.
See you there?
Steve
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