Staten Island (2009)

Director:

James DeMonaco

Writer (WGA):

James DeMonaco (written by)

Release Date:

5 August 2009 (France)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Plot:

The lives of three residents of New York's Staten Island intersect as they struggle to get ahead. |

Plot Keywords:

Blood | Nonlinear Timeline | Shooting | Violence | Septic Tank

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Ethan Hawke
Vincent D'Onofrio	...	Parmie
Seymour Cassel	...	Jasper
Julianne Nicholson	...	Maria
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Dennis Albanese	...	Wise guy
Ian Brennan	...	Hippie in Tree
Lynn Cohen
Bob Colletti	...	Hitman
Bill Cwikowski	...	Manny
J.D. Daniels	...	Vet
Rosemary De Angelis	...	Gianina
Mary Dimino	...	Train Passanger
Dominic Fumusa	...	Giammarino
Justin Rodgers Hall	...	Hitman
Michael Hogan	...	Bill
Dominic Marcus	...	Chainsaw man #2
Adrian Martinez	...	Rodriguez
Larry Mitchell	...	Cop #1
Maggie Moore	...	Reporter
Frank Pando	...	Albie
Steven Randazzo	...	Franco
Jeremy Schwartz	...	Eddie
John Sharian	...	Tarquinio
Tom Stratford	...	Septic Tank Guy
David Vadim	...	The Tall Man

Also Known As:

Little New York (France) (USA) (wide-release title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violent content and language.

Runtime:

96 min | Germany:95 min (European Film Market)

Country:

France | USA

Language:

English | French | Italian | American Sign Language

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #45623)

Company:

Europa Corp.

A good time

This was lots of fun, if slow to develop & move forward. Minor quibble because of excellent acting from all leads, & equally good supporting cast performances. Apt, oddball choices of songs commented on the action and characters. There are brief scenes of intense gore, but you can close your eyes for a second.

I agree with another poster that parts of this don't mesh as a whole, but it didn't bother me because of the film's almost happy-go-lucky vibe, a little wistful and silly, funny in places. It was saved by balancing those elements or attitudes with a fresh take on 2nd rate mobsters in - not that I agree, since I was born there - a second rate burg. The local color is done well - it's very particular to SI, though not the whole story.

Seymour Cassell was especially good - it's great to see a guy who's seen it all display depth and nuance in what's essentially a light but highly entertaining flick.

If you like off-beat, unusual films, and directors who aren't afraid to go out on a limb, and sharp small characters, you'll have a good time with this one.