City Island

Thursday night brought around the screening of City Island, a comedy from Raymond De Felitta which is being hailed as this year's Little Miss Sunshine meets Juno - I'm suspecting the former comparison is largely due to the fact Alan Arkin has a bit-part, though the family-drama type thing it has going on is also you know, a possibility. In truth, it's as good as neither, but that's not to say it's without its merits. Andy Garcia who stars as the head of the dysfunctional family (what's that you say? a comedy featuring a family who isn't completely "functional"?) is actually very, very good in a role which is pretty far removed from anything he's ever done before, and his very strong accent which he had to adopt for the role (cause you know, it's set in da Bronx) never falters. Julianna Margulies (that chick who used to shag George Clooney in E.R) co-stars and she's very good also, and WOW has she gotten better with age. The best lines in the film however go to Ezra Miller, newcomer who plays Andy and Julianna's son who's into fat chicks. Which gives me hope (har har). I fell in love with him a tiny bit which made me feel a bit like a paedophile but hot damn LOOK at him (that's him with his apparent girlfriend, Zoe Kravtiz. Bitch.) Andy Garcia's real life daughter Dominik plays his on-screen daughter (I'm guessing Andy pulled some strings?) and the resemblance between the two is pretty uncanny at times. The only element of the film which wound me up was Emily fucking Mortimer. I don't think she's capable of playing a role other than a flighty posh English woman who says silly and at times pretentious things but in an oh-so-charming manner. FUCK OFF EMILY. You're making us English girls look bad. Her aside, the film is fun, with some very clever moments - Andy's audition scene is fantastic as is the dinner table scene in which my new found love excels. Definitely go see it when it comes out on July 23rd.

Most excitingly - I may be meeting Garcia himself tomorrow if all goes to plan. Trying to choose the perfect outfit which says "hi it's raining but still really muggy but look how pretty and professional I can still look at your press junket". Tricky.