The Deli

This is to let you all know that while Quinn says the characters are an offensive representation of some New Yorkers - that's not true! (This comes from an Italian American...me) First of all, the movie is funny as all hell. That's because the quirkiness of the characters are quite real. Just take a walk into any OTB parlor, Yankees or Mets game and you're sure to find characters like those portrayed in The Deli. The character of Johnny played by Mike Starr is so incredibly accurate of the degenerate gambler it's scary. The movie does not 'glamorize' characters (like in Goodfellas or Casino) but accentuates the foibles and wacky neurosis of the everyday gambler and "regular Joe."

I highly recommend this movie for anyone with a sense of humor. While it's no Casablanca, it's a very very funny "insiders" representation of those who dwell in the Italian American blue class neighborhoods of New York city. Rent it. Watch it. And laugh! If you don't find it funny, then the jokes simply went over your head. So you'll need to watch it again.

A messy movie with the occasional unnecessary scene that gos nowhere and appears to have nothing to do with the plot. One of the most annoying films I have seen in years. I guffawed once so I guess it gets one star. Truly arduous viewing!

Very funny, if slightly longish, look at odd-balls somewhere in darkest, ethnickest New York. Some of the jokes don't work, but if you don't like one, there's another along in 30 seconds and that's sure to be a pleaser. Any film that has Iman demanding an avocado, no pit (she's off pastrami) is worth one's time.

Definitely not worth the rental, but if you catch it on cable, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the cameos--Iman's appearance is especially self-deprecating. It's also an opportunity to watch all the male supporting cast members from The Sopranos typecast themselves.

Not very much happens in this slice-of-life story about the people who work in and frequent a neighborhood deli. Most of the dialogue seems improvised, which isn't always such a good thing. There was a laugh or two but not enough to sustain interest throughout. Matt Keeslar is good and gets special credit for not even attempting a dese-dem-dose accent. The characters that come in and out of the story are sometimes interesting and colorful, but they add up to not very much. It is always nice seeing some good actors, like Chris Noth, Frank Vincent, Debi Mazar, William McNamara, Ice T and especially David Johanssen, who is perhaps funniest of all as a cabbie.