City Island (2009) | agoodmovietowatch
City Island 6.9 2009 Movie

City Island

Dir. Raymond De Felitta · United States of America · English

Our take by Jamie Rutherford

City Island is a lighthearted comedy/drama about the Rizzo family, residents of the titular fishing community in The Bronx, New York. Andy Garcia plays the patriarch of the family who works as a corrections officer, and who decides one day to bring home a young ex-con named Tony under somewhat mysterious circumstances. Tony soon becomes entwined in the dysfunctional household as he develops varying relationships with each family member, even as each of them lives their own secret life apart from the rest. This secrecy drives much of the plot, as their personal mysteries play out in an unexpected and often amusing ways. It’s a lively slice-of-life full of boisterous characters, comedic misunderstandings and ultimately a warm embrace of family unity.

What happens

The Rizzos, a family who doesn't share their habits, aspirations, and careers with one another, find their delicate web of lies disturbed by the arrival of a young ex-con brought home by Vince, the patriarch of the family, who is a corrections officer in real life, and a hopeful actor in private.

What the critics said

Notable Critics

"[It] won't put [Garcia] back on the main road, but he tries some new things in it, and it's fun to watch him work."

— David Denby

"A treat for movie lovers everywhere -- even if you've never heard of the community where it takes place."

— Leonard Maltin

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About the author

Jamie Rutherford

Jamie Rutherford is a contributing writer at A Good Movie to Watch, with film reviews spanning a wide range of genres and eras. Their work on the site has covered titles from Behind the Candelabra to Last Days in Vietnam to Love is Strange.