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Cast: Andy Garcia, Julianna Margulies, Emily Mortimer, Dominik Garcia-Lorido, Alan Arkin, Steven Strait, Ezra Miller, Carrie Baker Reynolds, Hope Glendon-Ross, Curtiss Cook
When he recognizes his son, Tony (Steven Strait), whom he hasn't seen in more than 20 years, among a crop of new inmates in the jail where he works, Vince Rizzo (Andy Garcia) decides to bring the troubled young man home with him, much to the surprise of his wife and kids.
City Island benefits from a great cast and clever and witty writing. Its an Indie comedy about a dysfunctional family who all have a secret or two to hide. Vince is a guard in a jail and one day he spots his son who is an inmate, this is a son from another marriage and one he hasn't seen in 20 years. When he decides too bring Tony home with him it causes more chaos than the family already has on a normal basis. Vince doesn't tell the wife and kids who Tony really is for fear of causing more problems. Vince also has another secret, he goes out every night but doesn't tell his wife the truth about where he is going because he is afraid she won't understand and will only make fun of him. Then there is their daughter who said she is away at College but what she is really doing is working at a strip club and we can't forget their teenage son who also has a secret which involves an adult web site and the neighbor next door. I can't forget the wife who is sexually starved so when Tony arrives sparks fly. In the middle of all this is poor Tony who would rather go back to jail where things are at least normal. In the end all the secrets are revealing in a laugh out loud climax. The film had a limited theater run but thankfully now it has a chance to reach a much larger audience on home video which should prove golden with strong word of mouth. City Island is what Independent comedies are all about, it has a great script with clever and witty dialogue, a cast to die for including, Andy Garcia, Julianna Margulies and Alan Arkin to name a few.
If you like comedies that are not only funny but smart as well then this is going to be one not to miss. City Island also gives the message of accepting the ones you love for who they are. After watching this you are going to wonder why this never received more attention but at least now everyone has a chance to see one of the best comedies of the year. You can order the DVD HERE and the Blu-ray HERE. Both contain Special Features that include:
Audio Commentary
Deleted Scenes
Featurette: Dinner with the Rizzos.
If you love Indie cinema or just plain love a good comedy then this is a must see, must own film.
Released by Anchor Bay Entertainment
***** Out Of *****