'City Island'

'City Island' (PG-13) ***

Writer and Director: Frank De Felitta
Starring: Andy Garcia, Julianna Margulies, Emily Mortimer, Steven Strait, Dominik Garcia-Lorido, Ezra Miller, Alan Arkin

I love small character studies like "City Island" where there isn't anything heavy going on except for just plain old life. Sometimes you just need a light but rewarding family drama with colorful characters and great acting. Andy Garcia is a very good looking actor who I forget sometimes is a very damn good actor. He is the heart and soul of this movie and he shows vulnerability and depth here as Vince Russo, a prison guard and patriarch of a small family living in New Jersey. His wife, played very well by Julianna Margulies, is somewhat of a nag but also a strong, opinionated woman. He has a son who is into full figured women and downloads porno sites with them. He also has a daughter played by Garcia's real life daughter Dominik Garcia-Lorido who is a stripper after being kicked out of college. Vince (great name!) harbors two secrets. He has a son he abandoned that is a prisoner in his prison and he also has been taking acting lessons. He is afraid to tell his wife and I don't blame him. Actually everyone in this movie can't be honest with each other and that is their problem. I started to care about these characters and I must mention that Garcia gives an outstanding performance and could be up for a Snavely award. He sells this picture and we love Vince because Garcia brings the right amount of warmth and strength to the character. There is also a wonderful supporting turn by Emily Mortimer and she is becoming someone I always love to see. Funny how I forget that she has a great Audrey Hepburn quality to her and Hepburn was my all time favorite actress.

This is another successful triumph for screenwriter and director Frank DeFelitta. In 2000 another of his small but great movies came out. It was "Two Family House" with Michael Rispoli and Kelly McDonald and it was also full of heart and great characters. DeFelitta should write and direct a movie every few years because I like his touch and his screenplay here is full of scenes that are small gems. I like how everyone is afraid to express their secret desires and dreams but sure can express their opinions. There is a wonderful scene full of humor and heart where Vince goes on his first audition for a Scorsese/Deniro film. As he finally gets to audition in front of a casting agent the scene starts as embarrassment but turns into magic as Garcia plays with his nerves and finally becomes himself. I was laughing a lot and actually teared up during this great moment. That scene alone is worth the price of admission. Garcia is wonderful in this movie as is the rest of the cast. You might not be overpowered by this movie but you will sure leave with a big smile on your face.

P.S., if the rumor is true that Garcia, Al Pacino and Coppola are considering a fourth "Godfather" movie I might change my mind and be up to that ideal based on how good Garcia is here.