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City Island
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Metascore
66 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 45 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Andy Garcia, Julianna Margulies, Steven Strait
  • Summary: Set in a quaint fishing community on the outskirts of New York City, City Island is a hilarious and touching tale about a family whose comfortable co-existence is upended by surprising revelations of past secrets and present day lies. Vince Rizzo is a lifelong resident of the tiny, tradition-steeped Bronx enclave of City Island. A family man who makes his living as a corrections officer, Vince longs to become an actor. Ashamed to admit his aspirations to his family, Vince would rather let his fiery wife Joyce believe his weekly poker games are a cover for an extramarital affair than admit he's secretly taking acting classes in Manhattan. When Vince is asked to reveal his biggest secret in class, he inadvertently sets off a chaotic chain of events that turns his mundane suburban life upside down. Inspired by the exercise, he decides to bring his long-lost ex-con son Tony home to meet the family, and it soon becomes clear that everyone—including his college student daughter, teenaged son Vinnie, Jr., charismatic acting partner and drama coach— has something to hide. A perfect storm of deception, half truths and confusion makes Vince and his family members realize that the truth may not set them free, but it is easier to keep track of than all their well-intentioned white lies. (Anchor Bay Films)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Amy Biancolli
    100
    You needn't have colorful Italian relatives, like myself, to enjoy this boisterous and warm-hearted film, which sidesteps cliche while embracing the hope and love in loony dysfunctional families everywhere.
  2. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Lou Lumenick
    88
    For me, the movie's high point comes when Tony auditions for a role in a Martin Scorsese movie. Tony learns not to try so hard -- a lesson that Garcia also seems to have absorbed from City Island.
  3. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    60
    The performances are absurdly broad, and each story line is more outlandish than the last. But De Felitta's approach is so easygoing, and the waterside setting so irresistibly charming, you're bound to walk out in a great mood. How many movies can do that for you?

See all 28 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. KingL.
    10
    This is a brilliant slice of life. A metaphor for American culture at its worst and its best. In a bevy of great performances Andy Garcia gives the performance of a lifetime. Raymond De Felitta not only provides the cast with great material but he directs them to perfection. One of the only times in his career where Andy Garcia doesn't go over the top. Worth the trip to the theatre.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. miked.
    10
    One of the best movies I have seen in a while.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. beelzie14
    10
    A truly great film with multi-faceted scenes and such a diverse story. Such eccentric dark humour with a complex look at family and all of its problems. Highly recommended.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 12 User Reviews

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