Review of City Island (2009) by Liam P — 21 Nov 2011
SUMMING IT UP:
Featuring Andy Garcia in a performance that is his best in years, City Island tells the story of Vince Rizzo and his family, barely surviving on a groundwork of lies and secrets. His family is in great disrepair: his wife, Joyce (Julianna Marguiles), is beginning to question his fidelity; his daughter, Vivian (Dominik GarcÃa-Lorido), is a reluctant visitor home; and, his son, Vince Jr. (Ezra Miller), is involved in a search for a willing participant in a particular fetish. And this all unfolds as Vince brings home a convicted felon, Tony (Steven Strait), from prison to stay with the family. It's a nicely paced, sweetly funny and pointedly low-key family dramedy, but as a sub-plot involving another woman, Molly (Emily Mortimer), begins to intertwine the low-key leads to an all-out shouting match that brings a knowing smile to the viewer's face. This is great non-blockbuster filmmaking with a top cast in fine form. It is in effect what easy-to-watch cinema should be like.
This review of City Island (2009) was written by Liam P on 21 Nov 2011.
City Island has generally received positive reviews.
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