City Island
Reviewed by
Pete Hammond
March 18, 2010
Of course, this is easier said than done for a family man who works a day job as a prison guard and who won't tell anyone his most private desire. This puts a bit of strain on his relationship with his wife, Joyce (Julianna Margulies), who is beginning to believe that his so-called "weekly poker games" are a cover-up for an affair. In actuality, he attends an acting class taught by a bored and frustrated drama coach (Alan Arkin), who tries to tone down Vince's penchant for turning every scene into a cheesy homage to his acting hero, Marlon Brando. At one session, when Vince is asked to reveal his biggest secret, he inadvertently sets off a life crisis, as it inspires him to bring his long-forgotten and never discussed ex-con illegitimate son, Tony (Steven Strait), home to meet the family—which also includes a daughter (Dominik Garcia-Lorido) and teenage son (Ezra Miller) who had no idea they had a half-brother. Vince is a dream role for Garcia, who also co-produced the film, and he shows a genuine flair for comedy that he hasn't always gotten the chance to exhibit. The best scenes revolve around Vince's attempts to make the acting dream come true. His acting-class scene partner (Emily Mortimer) becomes his muse and offers encouragement, urging him to go out for an audition. The audition sequence is hilarious, and Garcia clearly remembers what it's like to go through that humiliating process. There is a certain sweetness and purity to Vince's very private ambition, and Garcia makes it all believably plausible. Mortimer is a true delight in these scenes, and the two actors have an easy rhythm between them. The home scenes are vibrant and alive with overwrought arguing that could be clichéd but comes off as exactly what you would expect -- and want -- from this brood. Margulies is perfectly cast as Vince's wife, and she and Garcia also have an instant comfort zone that makes this marriage seem all too real. Garcia-Lorido (Garcia's real-life daughter) makes the most of her scenes and her own secret, while Miller is fun as the teenage son with a thing for hefty women. Strait could have overplayed his "long lost son" role but gets it just right. Writer-director Raymond De Felitta splendidly captures the lifeblood of New York's rather obscure but colorful City Island, where impossible dreams still might come true for a memorable bunch of characters. Genre: Comedy Written and directed by: Raymond De Felitta Starring: Andy Garcia, Julianna Margulies, Alan Arkin, Emily Mortimer, Steven Strait, Dominik Garcia-Lorido, Ezra Miller. |
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Industry Grosses
| Rank | Title | Gross |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | WICKED | $1,681,570 |
| 2. | THE LION KING | $1,624,092 |
| 3. | THE ADDAMS FAMILY | $1,272,985 |
| 4. | PROMISES, PROMISES | $1,202,446 |
| 5. | MARY POPPINS | $1,138,802 |
| 6. | BILLY ELLIOT: THE MUSICAL | $1,109,921 |
| 7. | JERSEY BOYS | $1,035,256 |
| 8. | MEMPHIS | $953,528 |
| 9. | THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA | $937,474 |
| 10. | MAMMA MIA! | $915,829 |
Week ending July 19.
Credit: The Broadway League
| Rank | Title | Gross |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | INCEPTION | $62,785,337 |
| 2. | DESPICABLE ME | $32,803,660 |
| 3. | SORCERER'S APPRENTICE, THE | $17,619,622 |
| 4. | TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE, THE | $13,420,480 |
| 5. | TOY STORY 3 | $11,998,276 |
| 6. | GROWN UPS | $9,911,016 |
| 7. | LAST AIRBENDER, THE | $7,755,153 |
| 8. | PREDATORS | $7,016,502 |
| 9. | KNIGHT AND DAY | $3,608,021 |
| 10. | KARATE KID | $2,288,707 |
Week ending July 19.
