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.

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.

An A Class Cast in a B Class Movie. The Deli tries to be like Clerks or Smoke and fails. For starters, half this movie is just for laughs. No real story, no plot or moral, just a laugh or two. The other half is decent, with good acting, a good storyline, etc. If they had to do it all over again, they should edit 45 minutes of the movie and made it into a short film. That way, the Deli could have won awards for a 3mm short comedy. Instead, the Deli is a straight to video release with an amazing Italian cast and a terrible story. PS....does anybody relate, if not care about the main characters? Gamblers without any shame of destroying their lives in order to win on a basketball game. It's one thing to write a comedy, but the ending makes the audience lose interest in any of the characters and treat the Deli like a "half-baked" comedy...with a great cast of actors.

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.

Just purchased the Special Edition DVD with the Commentary and Deleted Scenes (which I thought some should have been left in the film). The director and actors on the commentary stated that even children enjoyed the film. Well, let me tell you my 8 year old daughter started to watch it with me during the Pinky/Mattarazzo scenes !! She was laughing. Anyway, a great talented cast that knew how to act natural contributed to an authentic film about a typical ethnic New York neighborhood. Complimenti ! Bellissimo film ! Established character actors such as Tony Sirico, Burt Young, Vincent Pastore, Frank Vincent bring an authenticity to the film which makes the viewers literally feel that they are right there on location in a close knit neighborhood. Even the great Judith Malina from the theater contributes in her portrayal as Mrs. Amico. This film should be viewed by any film lover as it is a light hearted comedy about any given day in a NY quarter.