City Island (2009)
A Bronx family of secret-keepers finds their carefully constructed lies unraveling when an unexpected guest arrives home.
City Island - Movie Information
- Original Title: City Island
- Release Year: 2009
- Directed by: Raymond De Felitta
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Comedy
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 1h 44m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 6, 2009 (Canada - 14A), March 6, 2009 (United States - PG-13), October 18, 2011 (Germany - 12), January 20, 2010 (France - TP), April 24, 2010 (Australia - M), May 25, 2010 (Italy), November 20, 2009 (Spain), June 27, 2017 (South Korea - 15)
- Alternative Titles: Assumptes de família (ES), Oikogeneia se paranoia (GR), Otok v mestu (SI)
- Production Companies: Filmsmith Productions, CineSon Entertainment, Medici Entertainment, Lucky Monkey Pictures, Gremi Film
- Production Countries: United States of America
City Island - Plot
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.
City Island - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the Rizzo family's secrets come hilariously undone:
Truth is stranger than family
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City Island - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Raymond De Felitta
Main Cast
- Andy Garcia
- Julianna Margulies
- Steven Strait
- Emily Mortimer
- Ezra Miller
- Dominik Garcia
- Carrie Baker Reynolds
- Hope Glendon-Ross
- Alan Arkin
- Louis Mustillo
Writers
- Raymond De Felitta
Producers
- Andy Garcia
- Lauren Versel
- Raymond De Felitta
- Zachary Matz
City Island - FAQs
What is City Island about?
City Island follows the Rizzos, a Bronx family where everyone is hiding something from everyone else. When patriarch Vince, a corrections officer with secret acting ambitions, brings home a young ex-con, the family's carefully maintained web of lies begins to unravel in funny and touching ways.
Who are the main actors in City Island?
Andy Garcia and Julianna Margulies lead the cast as Vince and Joyce Rizzo. They're joined by Steven Strait, Emily Mortimer, a young Ezra Miller, Dominik Garcia, and Alan Arkin, who plays Vince's acting coach. It's a wonderfully ensemble-driven film.
Why does Vince bring the ex-con home in City Island?
Vince discovers that Tony, a young inmate at the prison where he works, may be his son from a past relationship he never told his wife about. Unable to reveal the truth, he brings Tony home under a flimsy pretense, setting off a chain of escalating family chaos.
Is City Island based on a true story?
City Island is not based on a true story. Writer-director Raymond De Felitta drew inspiration from the real City Island neighborhood in the Bronx, New York, crafting an original story about a fictional family whose secrets and hidden dreams collide in unexpectedly comedic and heartfelt ways.
Where can you stream City Island?
City Island is available to stream on Starz, Amazon Prime Video, and Tubi TV. You can also watch it for free on Plex, or rent and buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
How was City Island received by critics?
City Island earned strong praise from critics, who celebrated its warm humor, sharp ensemble performances, and Raymond De Felitta's affectionate direction. Andy Garcia in particular was singled out for one of his most charming and nuanced performances, and the film became a genuine crowd-pleaser on the festival circuit.
What is the age rating for City Island?
City Island is rated PG-13 in the United States, making it suitable for most audiences. The film contains some adult humor, mild language, and thematic content around family secrets and infidelity, but nothing too heavy — it remains a light, accessible comedy-drama throughout.
What are movies similar to City Island?
If you enjoyed City Island, you might love The Royal Tenenbaums for its quirky dysfunctional family dynamics, or Every Day and Lackawanna Blues for similar working-class warmth. Ondine and Yonkers Joe also share that blend of offbeat humor and heartfelt drama that makes City Island so endearing.
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