Cassino in Ischia

Someone suggested this film to me. The premise was interesting and the location of Ischia intrigued me. The film really snuck up on me and surprised me. I was expecting a Hollywood blockbuster Action film, but it's not that at all. It's a really funny, heartfelt film filled with a cast of quirky characters. The over the hill action star seeking redemption is played by Dominic Purcell of Prison Break who surprised me with his comic skills. The Italian cast were really great across the board, especially an Italian Actor named Ugo Digero who was hilarious as the crazed and failing Italian director. The location photography was beautiful and the music was good too. A mixture of American and Italian songs. Funny, charming and surprisingly emotional film. Something I was not expecting.

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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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.

This film reminded me of what the movies used to be. It was packed with great quirky characters and fun scenes. And the beautiful scenery shots are a bonus. While the movie is pitched with Domenic Purcell at its center, actors such as Ugo Dighero and Miriam Candurro were the highlights for me.

I'm sure more experienced reviewers and cynics can find things to criticize but I thought this movie was fun and funny and touching and beautifully shot. The movie loves Italy and I'm sure Italy will love it back. And to realize the original lead actor passed away in the middle of shooting just makes it more impressive.

I'm looking forward to watching this movie again. And I'm looking forward to seeing more from the Ciota brothers.

This is truly one of the best comedies I've seen in a long time. The direction is excellent, and it's clear that the director gave strong guidance, as every single actor delivered a fantastic performance. Dominic Purcell, in particular, was a revelation. We're used to seeing him in action roles, but here he had the opportunity to showcase the full range of his talent - and he absolutely nailed it.

The story is fresh and engaging, with clever references to the world of cinema. It follows an action film star who decides to try his hand at artistic filmmaking - a plot that mirrors Purcell's own venture into a different genre. I read that another actor was initially considered for the role, but in the end, Dominic brought something truly special to the film.

The setting is equally impressive. The stunning coastal landscapes of Italy are breathtaking and make you want to travel and see the filming locations for yourself. We watched this film on a streaming platform and enjoyed it so much that we ended up watching it again with our whole family - it was a wonderful experience to share.

A thoroughly enjoyable movie that I wholeheartedly recommend!