Rating of
2.5/4
Gets good when the surprise plot twist happens
The M.O.W. - wrote on 08/01/08
"Meg" (Mira Sorvino), a medical student, returns to Staten Island, New York, to help take care of her elderly grandmother (Isa Thomas), who is under the care of "Mrs. Saladino" (Tina Bruno), herself an older woman. As soon as she settles in and begins to help take care of her grandmother, "Mrs. Saladino" sends her to her close realitive who runs and Italian restaurant with an opening for a job as a waitress.
"Meg" goes for the interview with the manager, "Gio" (Joseph Siravo), who hires her and puts her under the wing of "Rachel" (singer Mariah Carey), the tough-talking head waitress. The two become friendly with another waitress named "Kate" (Melora Walters), who is on the shy and reserve side. The three become fast friends, and watch each other's backs on and off duty. And they become even closer when "Rachel" and "Kate" learn that they share a birthday.
The owner of the restaurant (Arthur J. Nascarella) often eats with his son "Frankie" (Christian Maelen). The owner begins to act fatherly towards "Meg" while the son is giving her the once-over.
Then an incident in the back room of the restaurant requires "Meg's" medical skills. The incident proves that there is more going on than eating at the place.
The first part of the movie has good character and story development, but lags many times. The musical score is also quite nice, but I did catch a couple of times when the music was a little louder than the dialog.
The cast does a good job making you believe in their characters. And the one who is the central figure in the major plot twist happens where the character reveals her/his true identity will certainly surprise you.
For a movie with the Mob as a central part of the plot, the movie is not too bloody. However, there are some fairly bloody scenes -- one of which might make you a little queezy.
Nothing much can be said for the visuals. There is some gun play in the movie, but they don't require spectacular special effects.
The movie is pretty good if you're spending the night at home, but I probably won't be adding it to my home video collection any time soon.
