"City Island"

One of our date night movies this past weekend was "City Island" which I'd requested from our library. I know someone recommended this movie but, unfortunately, I can't remember who but I enjoyed it and it sparked discussion afterwards. It's centered around the Rizzo family and their secrets. Vince Rizzo (played by Andy Garica) is a corrections officer whose secret wish is to be an actor. Since he doesn't think his wife will understand why he wants to take acting classes, he tells her he's playing poker. His wife, Joyce, played by Julianna Marguiles, thinks Vince is having an affair. Ezra Miller is incredible as the Rizzo son who fantasizes about food and fat women. According to the director he was allowed to improvise because he's so good at it. Dominik Garcia-Lorido (Andy's real-life daughter) plays the Rizzo daughter who has lost her college scholarship and is now stripping when her parents think she's studying. Alan Arkin plays Vince's acting teacher and Emily Mortimer is a young woman Vince has been paired up with in class for an assignment -- that requires some out of class homework. Even Emily has a secret! When their acting teacher asks the class to reveal their biggest secret in class, it starts quite a chain of events. Steven Strait plays Vince's illegitimate son (another secret) who plays a huge role in helping this family come to terms with their secrets and the value of honesty.

I highly recommend this movie written and directed by Raymond De Felitta.

Don't miss the special features and deleted scenes. One of the last scenes in the movie is shortened significantly and, after viewing the full length version, I think it should have been left whole.

Happy Viewing!

pazt