The Rizzos are a family with secrets.

Head of the household Vince (Andy Garcia) works as a prison corrections officer, but his secret wish is to become an actor.  Rather than confiding his dream to his wife, Joyce (Julianna Margulies), he tells her that he plays poker once a week, but he is really taking dramatic lessons.

Vince also has another, darker secret.  He has an adult out-of-wedlock son, Tony (Steven Strait), conceived prior to meeting Joyce.  Because Tony’s mother was a “psycho bitch,” he abandoned the boy before birth, but now discovers him to be a “resident” in his prison.

Vince’s legitimate kids also have their problems.  Daughter Vivian (Dominik Garcia-Lorido) lost her college scholarship and now, unknown to her parents, works as a stripper.  Son Vince, Jr. (Ezra Miller), on the other hand, skips school regularly and has a “thing” for grossly overweight women.

So that the young man can get an early parole, Vince decides to bring Tony into his home.  [Neither Tony nor Vince’s family knows that Vince is Tony’s father.]  About the same time, encouraged by his acting partner (Emily Mortimer) who has her own secrets, Vince auditions for a major film and his clandestine behavior convinces Joyce that he is having an affair.

Further misunderstandings in the household bring all secrets out into the open.

CRITIQUE

Written and directed by Raymond De Felitta, City Island is a warm, joyful comedy about a dysfunctional family that finds its way “home”.

Like Little Miss Sunshine and Up in the Air, this is one of those original comedies where the people and their emotions are real.  There are no “jokes,” yet we laugh at the humor of the situations because, though the specifics might be different or less dramatic, we are laughing at the parallels to our own lives.

The dialogue is quick and witty, and performances by the entire cast are superb.

Perhaps the funniest scene in the picture belongs to Alan Arkin, cast as Vince’s acting coach, who at one point rants about how he hates actors who use “pauses” in their work.  It is a laugh-out-loud moment.

City Island is endearing; one of the best, most entertaining pictures I have seen this year.

THE VIDEO

The widescreen picture is sharp with no problems.

THE AUDIO

The 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound is crisp and clear.

THE EXTRAS

Audio Commentary by director Raymond De Felitta and Andy Garcia.

Several Deleted Scenes.

Dinner With the Rizzos, a 16-minute featurette in which De Felitta, Garcia and several cast members chat about the making of the film. 

FINAL THOUGHT