City Island (2009) ****

City IslandThis film felt to me like a very well made soap-opera. This is not to say that it was not entertaining or engaging, on the contrary, it was, but in a soapy sort of way… It tells the story of a “normal”, blue-color, highly dysfunctional family, each of its members with secrets that can keep a TV soap running for a full season… But it does it with a lot of charm, excellent acting (Alan Arkin in a side role is always a wonderful bonus), and a crescendo ending, that leaves you half crying half laughing...