Little New York (2009) User Reviews

Pretty Good

[bob-rutzel-1 · 7/10 · 29 November 2009]

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.

Better than I expected

[ajs-10 · 7/10 · 29 December 2010]

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. It is made in a very interesting style, almost what I would expect to see from a French studio, but when I saw that one of the producers was none other than Luc Besson, I was less than surprised. But more of my thoughts later, here's a brief summary first (summary haters please protect this small forest while I write the next paragraph).

Sully Halverson cleans septic tanks for a living. He's not the sharpest blade in the box, but when he and his wife, Mary, decide to have a baby, he begins to get ideas. He sees a treatment program they are running at the hospital that genetically changes an embryo so the resultant child will be smarter. Now, if only he could get some money to pay for it… Parmie Tarzo is an ambitious mob boss. He lives alone with his mother and wants, more than anything, to be famous. His mother was recently shot during a robbery at his house and Tarzo and his gang are after the perpetrators. After he decides to take over the entire Staten Island operation and an attempted hit by a rival gang fails, he kind of loses the plot a little. He is found on a platform up a tree, trying to protect an area of forest due for demolition… Jasper Sabiano is a deaf mute who works in a deli and does 'disposal' jobs on the side for Tarzo. He has a liking for gambling on the horses and when he wins big he feels he might be able to help his friend Sully… These three characters are about to collide and things will never be that same for any of them.

As I said at the beginning, this film has very much the feel of a French art house film, but its set in New York. It's kind of strange to watch if you're not used to that sort of thing, but if you stick with it, it will pay off in the end. Great performances from all of the main cast; Ethan Hawke plays the dumb Sully Halverson with great aplomb, Vincent D'Onofrio is perfect as Parmie Tarzo and Seymour Cassel is superb as Jasper Sabiano. Oh, and an honourable mention must go to Julianne Nicholson as Mary Halverson.

Over all, I really enjoyed this film. It has quite a gentle pace that I found quite fitted the style adopted by the director. I loved the way the characters at some point all look wistfully across towards Manhattan, as if wishing they could be over there. It's not perfect by any means, but enjoyable none the less… Recommended.

My score: 6.9/10

The lives of three men intersect in a film that has great pieces but doesn't come together as it should because of its odd tone

[dbborroughs · 5/10 · 23 November 2009]

Three interconnected stories of a mobster looking to make a power play (Vincent D'Onofrio), working class guy who decides to pull a robbery to get money for an operation (Ethan Hawke) and a deaf deli counter man who knows both of them. How the trio come together, or more correctly intersect is the story. Told out of order this is the story of three lost souls who get in over their heads.

Its an okay little film that holds your attention even if you know where its going (I had a good idea what the end was going to be). The trouble with the film is that the odd mix of comedy and drama doesn't always work. D'Onofrio's mobster looking for something bigger seems to have wandered in from another film. This is a scary guy? I don't think so. He's more a buffoon then a serious threat. Hawke's character is clearly over his head and why he would think he could get away with it is beyond me (it seems like a variation of his characters in Before the Devil Knows you're Dead and What Doesn't Kill You). The weird shifts in tone make for a unique film in that all of the bits work, the trouble is they don't really work together all that well. It's an okay film not the great one that it wants to be. I don't know what to say beyond I liked the film, it held my attention all the way to the end but at the same time I don't need to ever see it again. It's a rental at best.

An engaging drama

[Gordon-11 · 27 January 2010]

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.

Welcome to Staten Island

[claudio_carvalho · 6/10 · 14 January 2014]

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

Just Does Not Work

[samkan · 5/10 · 8 November 2010]

All three lead characters do excellent jobs, as well as Miss Nicholson, but they cannot rescue this film. The beginning narration is odd and appears to suggest we're going to get a sympathetic and/or humorous take on Staten Islanders and their inferiority complexes. But other than the mobsters being small time, there's nothing in STATEN ISLAND that really distinguishes the people or setting; i.e., they might as well be from any other suburban area.

We understand that the ecology vehicle is not to be taken seriously but then it just disappears. We've not enough background on any three of the leads to truly become interested in any of them, though you can see the clumsy attempts to try and "teach" us about them. And the ending is ridiculous as well as unsatisfying.

In short its just a mess, despite some quirky funny spots. I'm guessing the makers envisioned something like BLOOD SIMPLE. Definitely STATEN ISLAND is an attempt at Cohen Brothers-like suspense with blood and comedy. But this movie falls short in every category.

Like Sudoku; fun for the moment, but no real value in the end.

[solomonmethod · 6/10 · 11 January 2010]

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?

3-way

[kosmasp · 5/10 · 19 October 2010]

The movie might try to be a little bit too clever for it's own good, but it still kinda works. The tone might be a bit shifted at places, but for a low budget thriller, this is pretty good. The acting is decent, the story rolls along nicely.

But something is still missing to make it great. While all the stories told are quite appealing (for one reason or the other), it is just too much coincidence and too much confidence in a few things. Although the end might be a little bit more rewarding for some than others, you could and should give it a try, especially if you like those sort of movies in general.

A very unusual comedy drama definitely worth seeing

[mrcibubur · 7/10 · 2 January 2010]

I watched this the first time and didn't quite work it out, so watched it again and loved it. It is a COMEDY no mistake and don't be put off by the gore. it is a clever compelling comedy with some very good dialogue and excellent linking between the three main characters, mainly I feel on Tarzo the gangster/mobster and Jasper the deaf and mute butcher who is a real star in this movie, a sort of low level vigilante. I like the -save the tree' speech by Tarzo and his protest speech to the journalist. It does take a while for the whole story to gell a bit and for the three main characters to come together. Guess it shows Staaten island in a good light and all islanders will like the public attention the film brings. I have visited Manhattan island but not staaten and doubt I will ever visit there. do they make horror movies there also? this is not a serious movie and its with the trend of bad lieutenant (nck cage) of teasing the audience with a serious topic in a drama and making it humorous.

If you've ever seen a David Lynch or Tarantino movie don't bother with this turkey.

[jarvis-33 · 3/10 · 7 January 2012]

Written and directed by an arts school student who has watched and re-watched every second of every Lynch/Tarantino movie and scrawled spidery and precise notes in an exercise book... late at night.

Blue Velvet meets Pulp Fiction. Vincent D'Onofrio does an excellent job but must be aware of the cinematic crime that's being perpetrated in every frame. I'd rather watch him in MIB.

Ultimately goes nowhere and makes no sense but is always utterly convinced of it's own art-house cool and doesn't care where all it's ideas originally came from.

Beneath the gloss and slick there is sadly no substance.

A good time

[girlocelot · 9/10 · 26 November 2009]

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.

Sympathy for 3

[KineticSeoul · 6/10 · 16 January 2013]

This is one of those movies that has multiple stories that connect and intertwine in the end. And it's watchable but nothing all that special. The first storyline is about a gangster that is the leader of a very small crew that wants to be recognized and be popular and for everyone to know his name. He isn't a intimidating gangster though, the actor Vincent D'Onofrio just doesn't seem like a intimidating guy in this flick. Maybe someone that lives with his mom past 40 maybe and a loner but not someone that is intimidating. Although the plot for this first part of the story may seem generic it is my second favorite out of the 3 stories. The second one that has Ethan Hawke in it was the most boring one out of the three. It has to do with a poor guy that is a septic tank cleaner who just isn't very smart. Wants to give his unborn son a genetic alteration which can make his son extremely smart and cost over 40 grand. So he decides to rob a gangster's house with his friend. And couldn't help but feel a bit sympathetic to the guy. The third story is my favorite since it's from a deaf mute who is a butcher and his primary goal is to win the horse race gamble. He is the most likable character in this entire movie. All three of these characters are connected to each other in some ways and I liked how it played out at the end. Although the 2 first stories isn't anything special and cliché. Overall this is a watchable flick but nothing all that great in these types of genre.

6.8/10

Wake me when its over!

[rhaslett-3 · 1/10 · 6 April 2012]

First of all, I love D'Onofrio and of late Ethan Hawke. I did not see anyone here as a bad actor or actress, quite the contrary. I was shocked that actors of this quality would have accepted such a sorry script. The lead-in was great, I love stories about the mob, New York and places like Staten Island. Hawke was in a great movie, What Doesn't Kill You along with Mark Ruffalo and Amanda Peet. That one is a great movie and casting job well done. This movies was a real yawner because of the repeated scenes throughout and the weird unreal scenes like D'Ononfrio sitting in a tree, come on. I almost asked for my dollar back at the video store!I can really understand why the name of the movie has been changed. May appeal to some people, but I would really recommend gene enhancement for their offspring.

The sub-story approach yet with crazily developed characters

[Seraphion · 6/10 · 6 November 2014]

The story gives a fresh new take on the all so serious crime theme of the mobsters. Indeed, adding comedic aspects into such a theme is not really a new endeavor. But this time, instead of focusing on a character or a family in relationship towards other characters or families, the story approaches the theme as a multiple sub-stories of different focus characters weaved in altogether. What makes it nice is that those focus characters have their own unique brand of odds and quirks. The mob boss has the secret hobby of underwater breath holding, trying to break a world record. The septic cleaner man is somehow a dim wit, often unable to communicate his thought due to not getting the right words. Last, the deli butcher does the mob's dirty work in dispensing a dead body and loses his life goal after he wins his trifecta bet target for the last twenty years. The acting is quite a nice overall. Ethan Hawke portrayed the stupid character nice enough with adequate expressions. Seymour Cassel's is comparably the easiest among the three, but it has a bigger significance at the movie's end.

Wow!

[stonekeeper_ever · 7/10 · 31 January 2015]

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.

Oh what a surprise it was. I had no expectations at all... This movie surprised me very much. All along, I was looking at this movie without apprehensions... I was very surprised by this movie. I was not expecting the things I saw in this movie... I still remember that night I watched this movie, I had a lot of fun that night...and I found myself surprised. I give this film an eight, because it was great.

-WPE (worst poet ever)

Good acting but trivialized nonsense

[rlange-3 · 4/10 · 12 April 2010]

The introduction was very well done, and the acting across the board was quite good. Other than that you have a draggy film with lots of repeat footage that devolves into the Godfather as tree hugger as hippies take over a small woods. What? Drama into farce.

How many times did we have to see Scully (?) come in to pick up his bologna? Each time with an extra second which reveals another detail in the plot, I suppose. The problem is that none of this is really important and after the fifth or sixth time you begin wondering if something is wrong with the CD.

I really wanted to like this movie because my Dad grew up in Great Kills. And the background material was interesting. But despite the best efforts of the actors and actresses the movie never really went anywhere. A few poignant vignettes does not a movie make; at least not a good one.

A big disappointment

[tsmithjr · 5/10 · 6 August 2010]

My wife picked out "Staten Island" (that was the movie's title and the title on the DVD. I'm not sure why IMDb has it listed as "Little New York") and we were both looking forward to it. Unfortunately, "Staten Island" was disappointing. Certainly there was a mix of humor, irony and some grim aspects. But after reading the description on the box, it failed to meet expectations.

That said, Seymour Cassel was outstanding as a deaf, mute butcher who occasionally did work for the mob. You really felt for him throughout the movie. Ethan Hawke had a convincing time portraying a stereotyped "less than bright" septic tank worker. I'm not partial to Vincent D'Onofrio's limited acting abilities and he didn't fail to disappoint. I don't understand how he lands movie roles. He has enough trouble with his TV roles.

If you're looking to rent a decent mob movie, I'd look elsewhere. While not horrible "Staten Island" left us wanting.

Three-films-in-one that would have been better off separate

[MBunge · 4/10 · 5 June 2011]

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.

Parmie Tarzo (Vincent D'Onfrio) is a pudgy, bespectacled mobster who dreams of taking over the Staten Island underworld with his three thugs. He also dreams of setting the world record for holding his breath underwater and of finding the men who broke into his home and shot his elderly mother in the shoulder.

Sully Halverson (Ethan Hawke) is a septic tank cleaner who's very self-conscious about his lack of intellect. When he and his wife decide to have a baby, Sully becomes consumed with the idea of having his kid genetically engineered to be smarter than he is and thinks he can get the money for it by breaking into Parmie's home and stealing from his safe.

Jasper Sabiano (Seymour Cassel) is an old deaf-mute who slices meat for a living at a deli. He also plays the trifecta at the track, hoping for that one big win, is friends by Sully and cuts up the bodies brought to him by Parmie's gang for disposal.

The stories of these three men are told in order, Parmie-Sully-Jasper, as they all intersect at the deli one day. Parmie ends up dressed like Mr. Rourke and sitting in a tree. Sully gets nabbed by the mob. Jasper winds up whimsically seeking a violent redemption for his sins. Their lives come together a final time and all of them get what they want, but only one of them survives.

There's a lot to like about Staten Island. Unfortunately, it's doomed as a piece of entertainment by its three incongruous story lines. Parmie's section is clearly comedic, sometimes overtly and sometimes darkly, but never really serious. Then Sully comes in and his life is all serious, except with this over-the-top genetic redesign of his unborn son plopped into the middle of it all. I mean, come on! It's like watching Goodfellas and having Henry Hill decide he wants to have a sex change. And then Jasper life takes over the narrative with a distinctly fairy tale quality, like a modern fable of New York City's forgotten borough. All three separate tones are swirled together at the conclusion, but it takes like peppermint, ravioli and spinach.

It's too bad because Vincent D'Onofrio gives another outstanding performance as a gangster who gets beyond all the clichés, even the ones he indulges. Writer/director James DeMonaco also came up with some good stuff, like the chaos at the robbery of Parmie's home and the souvenirs Jasper takes from the corpses he dismembers. Even the rapport between Sully and his wife manages to feel real and interesting, though we see little of it.

You could any of these stories and make a movie of it. Putting them all together and giving each a dissimilar sensibility? It doesn't really work. Staten Island certainly isn't terrible. It's just not good enough to deserve to be watched instead of something else.

Loved It....

[jeffnnj · 9/10 · 1 May 2008]

I attended the screening in NJ a couple of weeks ago and absolutely loved the film. It was three vignettes about different characters who are all tied together on Staten island. At times the film was funny and others grim but the overall effect was extremely enjoyable. Vincent D'Onofrio and Seymour Cassel were outstanding in their roles as gangster and cohort/victim. Ethan Hawke was also incredible. I was anxious to see the film because my 12 year old son and I watched a scene being filmed in our town last summer and was thoroughly surprised. I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys quirky comedy with a healthy dose of irony and drama.

Great movie.

[hiddenpower_2020 · 9/10 · 26 May 2010]

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.

Marvelous film!

[jelena-dragutinovic · 10/10 · 2 February 2010]

Great directing, even better acting, fantastic editing, photography, music… I loved it all!

You won't find 3D and special effects in this film. If that is what you are looking for, than this is not a film for you.

But, if you are tired of usual super heroes that Hollywood keeps inventing in the last several years, and you want to see a different story, maybe a more human one, told in a different way – than this is just a film for you!

The characters could be found everywhere – a mobster, a cleaner, a butcher. But they get intersected, and each of them has its own point of view. This film is done more in European way, although the director is from N.Y., which gives the story more realistic. I suppose the presence of Luc Besson, as co-producer, added this.

Vincent D'Onofrio was simply brilliant as Parmie Tarzo, the mobster. I did not expect anything less than perfect from D'Onofrio, to tell you the truth. And he really did it.

Seymour Cassel proved once again why he is a great character veteran, able to express his whole role with his face and eyes. Incredible!

Ethan Hawke and Julianne Nicholson had less demanding, but still really great roles, which beautifully added to my enjoying in watching this film.

In one word – Refreshing! Go and see it yourself!

One of the most touching movie's I've seen

[perry-cook · 10/10 · 10 July 2013]

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. The film has some important messages about life that all of us should see, and in my opinion should be much more well known than it is, watch it!

a favorite -- genius

[chocolatechickenpie · 9/10 · 11 December 2011]

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. There's some gruesome stuff too, as you might expect, but no gratuitous gunfire. The entire movie is damn good right down to the end. It reminds me a tiny bit of the TV series "Damages" the way Past, Present and Future all seem to be in random order. You need to pay attention. It's not all spelled out for you which is another reason I like it so much. You can definitely watch this one more than once and catch new things you might have missed.

This is delightful comedy where the mobsters all get their just desserts

[fredericksmith1952 · 9/10 · 25 April 2012]

This is delightful comedy where the mobsters all get their just desserts, but only after a series of really dumb moves by all concerned. Vincent D'Onofrio, who for years has played the role of Detective Goran in Law and Order: Criminal Intent, shows us his ability to completely change persona and delve into the mind of a small time hood with delusions of grandeur. Ethan Hawke delivers an excellent performance as the guy who cleans septic tanks for a living and wants a better life for his kid. Julianne Nicholson, who was also on Criminal Intent for a season across from Chris Noth, shows us an interesting character as Hawke's wife. And Seymour Cassel is excellent as the deaf mute counterman who secretly assists the mob in some of their more nefarious endeavors. The film is shot with the three perspectives merging into one, so the entire plot comes together in a very cohesive manner. One of the better Indies I have seen. Be forewarned it is a Russian Comedy, which is to say everyone dies, but they all die happy....well, not everyone. Rated R for violence and language, I highly recommend this one as a great rental. Collectible? Not particularly, but definitely a must see.

The outer borough

[jotix100 · 8/10 · 4 June 2011]

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. Staten Island is also a place where mafiosi men have gone to settle with their families because it offers them an incentive for being away from the obvious sites associated with organized crime.

Three lives are examined as they touch each other in of all places, a small deli in Staten Island. There, as if by chance, we meet Parmy Tarzo a man that wants to become the head of the crime industry in Staten Island. We also meet Sully, a man working for a septic tank company with his own share of knowledge of dirty things. Finally, Jasper, a deaf-mute cold cuts employee with a knack for carving in that section of the old fashioned Italian deli.

What Parmy does not know is that in planning to become the boss of bosses, he has stepped on his own crew members ambitions of working on their own. He has a surprise coming to him. One night, while driving, he is ambushed by a hired man. His car plunges into a river, but since he has been practicing to hold his breath under water, he survives the crash with only minor scratches. Little prepares him when he witnesses the man who tried killing him with his own trusted men. As a way to stay alive, Parmy decides to join the protesters trying to save a big tract of land that has been sold for commercial development.

Sully is a young man happily married. Not having been able to get his wife Mary pregnant, he takes her to one of the best hospitals where he learns about an interesting way to create highly intelligent children with an unorthodox method for achieving it. Since the treatment is costly, Sully decides to steal money from none other than Parmy, whose home he has visited while servicing the septic tank. In the botched robbery, Parmy's mom gets injured, so her son wants revenge.

Finally, Jasper, known as Jas, the deli worker, a man with a gambling habit, gets lucky in hitting a "trifecta" that rewards him with a lot of money. Since his needs are limited and realizing Sully is in a bit of a spot, he contributes toward Mary's treatment. Unknown to us, Jas has a secret no one has a clue of what it is. Parmy and his men come to him when they need a procedure that only Jas, who cannot talk about it, is able to perform for them.

The film was an unexpected surprise that paid in many ways. Director James De Monaco, a Staten Island native, wrote a screenplay that works well in the film. The stories overlap one another without overwhelming the narrative. The three men, although knowing the others, have no direct connection in the way the action takes them to. The only reference as to how they are connected comes at the beginning of each story when Mr. De Monaco gives the viewer a hint of things to come.

Vincent D'Onofrio is an actor that always surprises. His Parmy is an earthy man that enjoys his food, as well as ordering a killing. He is a welcome presence in any film where he is cast. Ethan Hawke plays young Sully, a man with an ambition for his yet to be born son. Seymour Cassel, a veteran actor that always delivers, is one of the best things in "Staten Island". We do not get to see much of Julianne Nicholson, who is also an asset in everything she does.

With a cinematography by Chris Norr, and a musical score by Frederic Verneres, the film is enjoyable. Credit should go to Luc Besson, a director himself, who has been backing talent such as Mr. De Monaco and others that need to be seen by discerning audiences.