Brombergs 2 Cents

City Island: A Fantastic Ensemble Cast (new on DVD)



Posted: Tuesday, August 31, 2010

by Brombergs 2 Cents

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Do you have secrets? Deep, dark secrets? You know you do.

City Island so wonderfully focuses on this aspect of our lives… how we often have difficulty telling those that are close to us some of the most important (yet embarrassing or shameful) times of our past.

This film is a funny, realistic, and engaging family portrait in which many of us could relate. If you like a movie that revolves around a dysfunctional group, then this film is for you. This particular group is a family living on City Island, a fishing village in the Bronx.

I love watching an East Coast family. It is a beast unlike any other… and it can be thoroughly entertaining. Who knew watching people yell and scream at each other could be so fun! Yes, it might hit a little too close to home for some of you, but for me, I relish and applaud the intensity that the actors bring to their roles.

One thing I really enjoyed about this movie is the indie feel without it being one of those unnecessarily R-rated films that seem to use graphic nudity to exclude it from the mainstream multiplexes. I love seeing a film that feels REAL without being gory, sexual, or chocked full of vulgar language. Life might be vulgar, but it doesn't have to be full of F-bombs, is all I am saying.

There is not a doubt in my mind that this could have EASILY been an R rated movie but the fact that it came off well at PG-13 is brilliant and ever so much more satisfying to me. Why? It is easy to be R-rated and seem real. It is challenging to be clean… and real. Strange as that may sound, I believe this to be true. Perhaps you agree?

Now, it may be PG-13, but there are certainly some uniquely dark aspects of these characters. The son, hilariously played by Ezra Miller, has a sexual fetish that, well, you just need to see to believe.

The central character of the story is the father, played masterfully by Andy Garcia. Boy is he great in this film!

Andy Garcia = New York like George W. Bush = Texas.

I really felt like I was spending a couple of hours in New York… some movies just take place in NYC, this movie pulls you right in.

You might ask, how do I determine what makes a movie good? Well, glad you asked. I actually have a system that entails 3 criteria: Acting, plot, and cinematography. If the film is strong in at least 2 of the 3, then typically it is a good film in my book. Titanic had a decent plot and decent acting but the cinematography was fantastic. I enjoyed it. Avatar had ok acting, weak story, but amazing cinematography. Ugly Truth had good acting, above-average writing, but nothing special as far as cinematography.

With that said, City Island has average cinematography, great story, and fantastic acting. See it if you want a break from the mainstream Tom Cruise and George Clooney movies (not that there is anything wrong with those). See City Island if you want to treat yourself to a film where the characters are flawed like probably most of us are.

What is the moral of the story? Honesty. Yes, life is complicated and it is hard to be an open book for even your family. If there ever was a movie that endorses the famous line, "The truth shall set you free!" it is City Island.

This movie will make you smile, if not laugh out loud. It is everything you could hope for in a family-centered film: An engaging and interesting slice of life of a group of people in a specific geographic area of USA. I loved every minute of it. 4 stars out of 4
Currently finishing up a masters degree in Communication Studies in Sacramento, Mike is an international award winning public speaker and avid fan of film, travel, and comedy. Tired of movie reviews full on summary and light on substance? Prefer a psychological perspective that attempts to shed insight and intrigue on little known or mainstream movies? Hopefully these articles will inform, enlighten, entertain, or at least stimulate curiosity in films young and old that find a relevant place in today's society. Thank you.

Mike's articles can be seen at: brombergsblog.com

This Article has been viewed 236 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)
» left by Ella Camp
 1 year 242 days ago.
88 fans.
I'm glad I found your articles- your writing style resonates with me- After reading this review, I placed this movie title on my netflix list. Strange- it's the second movie I've put there today after reading Searchwarp articles. What Dreams May Come , is the other one- Goshwin Stone's article concerning that one, influenced me to add it to my must see list. Most of the movies I watch are not what you would call mainstream- I just finished watching the Showtime series
 
"The Tudors," for the second time. I seem to gravitate to the historical type things- if they're well done. I enjoy the intensity of the acting and the ambience. Didn't mean to go on so, but I enjoyed your article- Thanks - Always- Ella- P. S.- Thanks for the trailer- that was neat! I know I want to see it now!
» left by Brombergs 2 Cents 1 year 242 days ago.
14 fans.
I am very glad to hear my writing style resonates with you... thank you!
 
I try to watch a lot of small movies, many good ones out there... including this one! Hope you enjoy it, and thanks for the great rating! -Bromberg
» left by Grace O'Malley
 1 year 242 days ago.
42 fans.
If you keep writing your reviews this well our family account at Blockbuster is going to go through the roof! Thanks for another well thought out synopsis.
 
Grace
» left by Brombergs 2 Cents 1 year 242 days ago.
14 fans.
Wow, thanks so much for the great comment!
 
If you like this movie half as much I did, you'll have a fun time! Movies like this make me appreciate superb acting that you do not see often in film.
Thanks again,      Bromberg
» left by Jennifer Stewart
 1 year 242 days ago.
152 fans.
I definitely want to see this film, Mike, it sounds fantastic. "Clean and real" is my favorite, because it never gets boring. Thanks for explaining your criteria.
» left by Brombergs 2 Cents 1 year 241 days ago.
14 fans.
My pleasure. Do put this one on your list to see, you'll be glad you did. Always good to hear from you!
» left by Chiradeep
 1 year 237 days ago.
84 fans. Follow Chiradeep on twitter!
Very nice...keep it up...
 
Regards
 
CP
» left by Robert Bregman
 1 year 194 days ago.
22 fans. Follow Robert Bregman on twitter!
WOW, again,

Another movie to see. When I was a kid I used to rent sailboats at City Island and fly with the wind. I haven't thought of that in 65 years. Thanks for the memory.

I've got a lot of movies to send for on Netflix. Thanks

Bob
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