Little New York

In Staten Island, New York, Parmie Tarzo (Vincent D'Onofrio) is a powerful mobster boss. The family man Sully Halverson (Ethan Hawke) is septic tank cleaner married with Mary Halverson (Julianne Nicholson) and they are trying to have a baby.

I hadn't heard much about this film before viewing it, but I do remember seeing a clip somewhere or other. It follows the lives of three people living on the island and shows what happens when their lives intersect.

For most of the citizens of the New York area, Staten Island will be that remote place where the ferry that runs from Manhattan ends. It is a shame, because the island offers other interesting aspects not found in the other four boroughs that comprise the metropolitan area of New York City.

This tale of the tangentially connected lives of three Staten Islanders is well acted, well written and well directed, but would likely have been much better as three separate films. It has three very different tones, a plot device that belongs in a sci-fi flick and an ending that makes you wonder what the point of the whole exercise was.

This film is one of the only movies that could be considered an action movie that I like - Its funny in parts, often ironic, contains exiting action and shooting scenes while has such a deep message that comes out in the ending that it is one of the only films that almost made me cry! I think this is because partly because it sticks to reality - there's nothing in it that could never happen or is to much of a 'happy ending' to be unrealistic - while the ending certainly isn't a let down either.

Watched it on cable, didn't know nothing about it but felt like a really well built drama. Loved the way the story was told through the eyes of the different characters (although not terribly original.

This little SOPRANO series like crime film is very agreeable. It was a really good try for this screen writer.

I bought this movie in a three movie deal package. I owned the DVD for several months before I even considered 'losing' some time watching what this movie really was.

It's phenomenal -- especially Ethan Hawke whose acting is absolutely brilliant. If you're an Ethan Hawke fan then you'll love this movie simply for him; although all of the acting is excellent -- in some scenes facial expressions alone speak volumes.