Little New York

This film is about the intersecting lives of a mobster, a septic tank cleaner and a butcher in Staten island, New York.

At first I thought "Staten Island" was a mobster film. When scenes concerning a forest start, it became pretty flat and unconventional for a mobster film. After a while, I realised that in fact it wasn't a mobster film. It's actually a touching drama about how people struggle to make ends meet, what people would do to end their misery and what people would do to have a glimmer of hope for a brighter future. I particularly was entranced by the character and the performance of Jasper. His silent world is so well portrayed, that I really feel his world. His deafness parallels his muted suffering, as the mobs make him do atrocious stuff but he could not say no. "Staten Island" is an engaging drama, I hope it will get a wider audience which it deserves.

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. The deaf and dumb Jasper "Jas" Sabiano (Seymour Cassel) is the slicer of deli meat in a market and also works for Parmie Tarzo slicing the bodies of his victims. Jas likes Sully and expects to win the horse races.

One day, Sully that is not a bright man decides to heist the house of Parmie Tarzo, expecting to artificially inseminate Mary with a better sperm than his in an expensive clinic. Meanwhile Jas wins the horse race and there is an attempt on Tarzo's life and he finds that his gangsters have planned it. The lives of the three residents are entwined with tragic consequences.

"Staten Island" is a movie that blends different genres – comedy, crime and drama – in an uneven way. The screenplay is not linear and Parmie Tarzo on the top of the tree is boring and silly. The best segment is the drama of Sully, and the motives of Jas are not clear. "Staten Island" entertains but is not special. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): Not Available

I watched this movie because one of my friends insisted me to. I have to admit that I didn't expect much in this movie at first but it turned out to be a great movie.First, the characters are well-developed. You can not expect a stronger or more convincing performance from Seymour Cassel. I think he definitely deserves an Oscar for this cast. Ethan Hawke is just as great. I can see in him a father who is, well, a little dumb but loves his wife and his unborn kid with all his heart.

Second, about the plot. The story is quite slow and easy-flowing. Some may find that it makes you feel kinda sleepy. But trust me, the more you watch this movie, the more you will find it entertaining and meaningful. I can not promise that you will love this movie but I believe that it will make you feel relieved and relaxed. I myself smiled at the end of the movie and thanked my friend for having introduced to me such a touching movie.

If you are still hesitating whether you should watch this movie or not, hesitate no more. Watch it. Strongly recommended. 9/10.

In my opinion the characters were well developed and well played out for their parts. The story kept me intrigued. Honestly I can think of a whole slew of movies that this one would go good next to; Burn After Reading for example. And I just loved the music that was playing during the credits.

The problem for me was that all in all, by the end of it, I honestly could not fathom the reason for any of what had happened. After the movie ended I was left with a resounding unanswerable "WHY?". "What was accomplished?" "What was the use?" I was entertained by the characters and the story for an hour and a half, but the movie did not go anywhere. I honestly believe that the script was given a green light for the simple reason that everyone involved saw an opportunity to exercise their chops and do what it is that they're good at. The purpose here was not to entertain the audience or make some money. It was just a vehicle for those involved to feed their brain's craving to engage in a familiar and fun activity. Like doing a jigsaw puzzle, or a sudoku. Fun and engaging for the moment, but when you're done, what was it worth?

A septic tank cleaner Sully (Hawke) wants his unborn child to have a genius IQ; a mobster boss Tarzo (D Onofrio) wants to become truly famous; and Jasper (Cassel), a deaf mute butcher, plays the horses and does dirty work for Tarzo. When their paths collide, nothing will ever be the same.

This starts out like it's going to be a comedy of sorts telling all about the forgotten New York Borough, Staten Island, and that the mob lives there and they also bury their victims there and you chuckle a little. Then the real movie starts and be prepared for a little gore. It is not a comedy. However, near the end, it does become somewhat comedic and you will chuckle again.

There is some gore in here and although you may not see all of it, your mind's eye will and you will squirm a lot. Of course, I chose to look away anyway. Hey, I have to sleep at night.

The acting performances are all good and the pace keeps you tuned in because you are not sure how things will play out. I must say that I become more impressed with Ethan Hawke with each movie. He is more than good. He delivers. When he gets scared, I get scared too. See?

Pretty good for a small budget movie.

Violence: Yes. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Language: Yes.