Movie Review: City Island

Saturday, March 20, 2010
Synopsis: Vince Rizzo is a lifelong resident of the tiny, tradition-steeped Bronx enclave of City Island. A family man who makes his living as a corrections officer, Vince longs to become an actor. Ashamed to admit his aspirations to his family, Vince would rather let his fiery wife Joyce believe his weekly poker games are a cover for an extramarital affair than admit he's secretly taking acting classes in Manhattan. When Vince is asked to reveal his biggest secret in class, he inadvertently sets off a chaotic chain of events that turns his mundane suburban life upside down. Inspired by the exercise, he decides to bring his long-lost ex-con son Tony home to meet the family, and it soon becomes clear that everyone - including his college student daughter, teenaged son Vinnie, Jr., charismatic acting partner and drama coach - has something to hide. A perfect storm of deception, half truths and confusion makes Vince and his family members realize that the truth may not set them free, but it is easier to keep track of than all their well-intentioned white lies.

Starring: Andy Garcia, Paul Diomede, Julianna Margulies, Emily Mortimer, Alan Arkin
Directed by: Raymond De Felitta
U.S. Rating: PG-13

If you think you know what a "dysfunctional family" is, think again because you haven't met the Rizzo family yet! City Island is such a great and entertaining drama/comedy film starring Alan Garcia and Julianna Margulies.

The plot is focused on the Ruzzo Family, their lies, secrets and communication problems. Vince Rizzo (Andy Garcia) works as a corrections officer (he hates it when people ask him if he's a prison guard) but, his real passion and dream is to be an actor since he was a little kid. Working at the correction center, Vince meets Tony Nardella (Steven Strait) , a illegitimate son he never met before. He hides from his wife every time he wants to smoke, since he told him he quit. When he gets the news that Tony can leave the correction center if a family member claims the responsibility to keep him at home for 30 days, Vince decides to take the responsibility and takes him home with the excuse of getting his help to build a new bathroom at the back of his house. Vince is married to Joyce Vizzo (Julianna Margulies) , a housewife who has to deal with all the daily things at home. She hides from her husband every time she wants to smoke, since he thinks she quit smoking also. Vince and Joyce have two kids, Vince Jr and Vivian. Vince Jr is a teenager who is in love with fat women. He secretly visits internet pages of big women and discovers that his neighbor across the street is the star of the site he visits. Vivian lies to their parents saying that she's about to graduate from college, but she's working as a stripper in a night club. When Vince decides to bring Tony to his home. Tony starts detecting all these lies and "double lives" and start making his part trying to push every one on the right way to achieve their dreams. Tony convinces Vince to attend an audition for "non-professional" actors, helps Vince Jr to meet their neighbor across the street, helps Vivian to reveal his secret to their parents and especially, helps Joyce to know that her husband hasn't been playing pocker every night or being out with another woman, but taking acting classes to achieve his dream. The only detail... Tony is the only one missing the reason of Vince's help and attitude towards Tony. Then, everyone discovers the truth, when he reveals that he's Tony's father.

City Island brings an excellent drama plot mixed with a great and smart sense of humor, supported by such an amazing cast. Totally recommended!

What did I like from this movie?

1. The cast selected was perfect for the roles
2. The film offers such a fresh and very entertaining plot and story
3. I totally laughed every time the family gathered together, you could see how "dysfunctional" they are!
4. Vince Jr played such a really funny role, basic but really funny role

What did I dislike from this movie?

1. nothing at all! I really enjoyed the film!

I would rate this movie with a 4/5


What did you like or dislike from this movie? What would you rate this movie?


Enjoy it!... Watch it!

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