Cassino in Ischia

With the recent Paramount / Republic Pictures release of Cassino in Ischia, starring Australian leading man, Dominic Purcell (Prison Break), the filmmaking tandem of brothers Joseph A. Ciota (writer) and Frank Ciota (director) continues its string of quality feature films, all of which bear their signature warmth and humor while giving us inside peeks at quirkily original slices of modern Italian-American family life on our shores -- The North End (1997), Stiffs (2010) -- as well as Americans trying their hands at making a living and a loving in the old country -- Ciao, America! (2002), Cassino in Ischia (2024).

For our protagonist, Joseph A. Ciota has drawn for us a shallow self-absorbed internationally famous actor, Nic Cassino, star of the wildly popular Spike and Death Trap super hero franchises. However, diminishing roles, along with kudos unforthcoming have triggered for Cassino a belated midlife crisis. Add to that some painful soul searching over a decades-old family grudge, and we can understand why the great Nic Cassino might want to lay low for a while, somewhere no one would recognize him.

Such a place turns out to be the Italian island town of Ischia, part of an ancient volcanic archipelago on the Gulf of Naples. It is here that the Ciota brothers deftly shed sympathetic light on this otherwise prototypical ugly American. In an industry which dispenses rejection like vagrancy fines to the homeless, Cassino's bravado and bluster bely the phobia-ridden superstar's repressed insecurities. Also, a number of sly references, visual and verbal, indirect and otherwise, to the Rocky franchise serve to underscore the underdog aspect of Cassino's character.

Like many successful leaders before them, the Ciotas, who also serve as executive producers on the project, have assembled a very talented cabinet, with a cast and crew comprised almost exclusively of native Italians. With principal photography having been shot on the gorgeous island location and thereabouts, it fell to cinematographer Patrizio Patrizi to help capture the primeval beauty of the place, and that is just what he and director Frank Ciota have done. At once vivid and lush, the outdoor photography is richly saturated with color. Scenes are never visually static. Individual shots within a particular scene flow smoothly into and out of one another, and meld together with the natural beautiful subtlety of the Mediterranean swallowing a setting Sun.

This film is a joy: original in story, assured throughout in tone, paced to perfection, and exceptionally pretty to look at.

Cassino in Ischia 113 mins, Dramatic Comedy, 13+, 2024, 4 Stars

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Yeah I get that Purcell is trying to do kind of an ego stroke of himself as a sudo documentary about his career but frankly I feel this was the bottom of the barrel for him. He's a decent actor but needs to stick to what he knows... action and drama, bc he just wasn't funny in this. He was mediocre and awkward just like his character was supposed to be which yes was the point but the film was a waste of budget. The Italian actors and actresses were better. I know alot about him by following his career and this just wasn't his best work. Dominic is you ready this...you CAN do better. Get out of your head and try harder...stay away from comedy or family movies... those are career enders for an actor like you.

I really liked this film. Funny and often times poignant. The underlying premise of the movie sets up for a bunch of true and honest laughs and keeps things very interesting. The acting is great and the backstory of personal growth for Purcell's character is very interesting to watch develop. But the star of the show is the would be director seeking to return to his (imagined) past glory. He is a real comedic presence and his interaction with his family and would be in laws brought many laughs to me and my wife. The scenery of the locale is also quite beautiful and the director captured this beauty well. We truly enjoyed it.

I loved this film. Such a departure from Hollywood's recent fare of blockbuster CGI laden films with overly simple plots and no soul. From frame one to the last you know you're in for a real cinematic treat. You root for several characters whose film-within-a-film's success ties directly to their personal needs; each of which are different. Each actor seems perfectly suited for their part. Kudos to the casting agency! The film is funny, poignant at times, and is fast paced. Pay attention, because various plot lines seem often in a perilous state of flux... but somehow, everything comes together in the end with a satisfying, if not ironic, denouement that makes for a wide smile as the credits roll. If you're looking for a fun two hours this film would certainly fill that bill.

I've never written a movie review but I was excited enough about Cassino in Ischia to write this review.

This film was funny and heartwarming. From the clever storyline to the spectacular cinematography to the talented cast, it was a gem.

Kudos to the writer, director and casting director. Their fine work transported me to Italy for a few hours.

The sound track was beautiful, blending Italian and American music nicely. Without giving away too much of the story, I would say that I particularly enjoyed the ending.

My recommendation is that you have nice dish of pasta and a glass of vino and sit back and watch the twists and turns of this film.