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Created Oct 10, 2010 11:03AM PST • Edited Oct 16, 2010 01:58AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   OK 2.5

   Great acting from Andy Garcia and Julianna Margulies rescues a disappointing script, making City Island a pleasant diversion, but little more. The story about secrets maintained and revealed in a loving family grows episodic, often more head-scratching than involving.

4. Acting

   Very Good 3.5

   Andy Garcia nearly caricatures working class NY Italians, but he’s such a charismatic actor that the performance achieves greatness. He’s nearly matched by Julianna Margulies, as his gives-as-good-as-she-gets wife.

   With a handful of exceptions, the rest of the cast can’t hold a candle to them. The great Alan Arkin slums a bit playing an acting teacher, while the charming Emily Mortimer gives surprising depth to a mysterious woman. Steven Strait counts as a pleasant discovery, a little known actor with impressive intensity, look and range.

5. Male Stars Great 4.0

6. Female Stars Great 4.0

7. Female Costars Good 3.0

8. Male Costars Very Good 3.5

10. Film

    OK 2.5

    For a movie that purports to be a comedy, the laughs are very few and far between.

11. Direction OK 2.5

12. Play Barely OK 2.0

    The script barely hangs together. At least one side story (about the son’s odd “romantic” obsession) adds little and is implausible to boot.

13. Music OK 2.5

14. Visuals Good 3.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 1.8

17. Sex Titillating 2.0

18. Violence Gentle 1.5

19. Rudeness Salty 1.8

21. Reality

    Glib 1.3

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.9

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Natural 1.0