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DramaYear2019Duration1h 30mIMDb6.3

Rockaway

Drama

Inspired by true events, a man recounts the summer of '94, when he and his brother plotted revenge against their abusive father.

Trailer

Cast

John J. Budion

Director

Keidrich Sellati

Young Anthony

Maxwell Apple

Young John

James DiGiacomo

Young Dom

Tanner Flood

Young Brian

Colin Critchley

Young Sal

Harrison Wittmeyer

Young Billy

NL

Nolan Lyons

Bradley

Sophia Rose

Gina

Wass Stevens

Dad

Marjan Neshat

Mom

Frankie J. Alvarez

Older John

Kendall Lloyd

Older Dom

Nicholas J. Coleman

Older Brian

Jake Brenden Taylor

Older Sal

Luke Guldan

Older Billy

Samantha Cocozza

High School Student

Christy Escobar

Ali

Michael Iacono

Baseball Player

John J. Budion

Writer

Comments

10 Comments

eliMay 29, 2023

adilassilMay 29, 2023

source: Rockaway

Stephanie Andres EncNov 22, 2022

If you like young teenage drama movie, this is a good choice,because the 6 boys on the main cast were sooo good, very relaxed and in the mood for good dialouges and acting. its fun ,its sad, its cruel, its love, its shy, its death so the director must have cleared the ground in a good way. its a socalled narrative movie,and that is very well done. what i didnt like was the last quater of the film, its like the helium went out of the balloon, and would have easily been a 9 or a 10, but thats my opinion also the score missed my marks, but the filmo and editing are really good. dont let me spoil the dinner, its recommendable enough, enjoy the newcomers in the movieworld, they are good...

🌚🥀Nov 22, 2022

I really enjoyed the film! The dialogue flowed naturally, the actors showed tremendous connection to both the story and to each other. It was very well directed and believable! I highly recommend it for any age.

user4304645171849Nov 22, 2022

I'm generally hesitant to watch a film with so many young actors, but the performances given by these young men completely carry the film. I looked them up after, and was pleasantly surprised to see that they are all working actors from hit tv shows or other films. Maybe I gave it an extra star or star and a half, but it took me back to a place of simpler times, and reminded me of my childhood. Downright enjoyable. Highly recommend.

Dennise MarinaNov 22, 2022

An instant classic and instantly my favorite movie.

Lord SkyNov 22, 2022

What an adventure, it's like a basketball version of the sandlot. some young talent here to keep an eye on

hiann_christopherNov 22, 2022

After reading the review on "Rockaway" in The New Yorker, seeing this movie was a no-brainer. From start to finish, director John J. Budion and cast take viewers on an intense journey that's both easy to follow and internally stimulating. The organization in the depth of each character's role is extremely well formulated. ... Check it out. This movie is definitely a must-see - disappointment won't be an option.

momentoghNov 22, 2022

After reading the remarkable review in the New York Times, I slide down in my seat and made myself comfortable. The movie appeared to be reminiscent of my young childhood days. The familiarity with small town life and the emotions from the characters became a part of me. It allowed me to be absorbed in its strength and anger. You can feel the support and friendship that grew between the brothers and friends as they struggled with the violence from the father. A true bond. A strong film. One I will never forget.

Missy LsNov 22, 2022

Greetings again from the darkness. This is established Visual Effects artist John J Budion's first feature film as writer-director, and he likely exorcises some personal demons with a semi-autobiographical look back at his childhood. Set in the summer of 1994 in East Rockaway, New York, the story is told from the perspective of an adult John (Frankie J Alvarez), who narrates his recollections of that year. Young John (played by Maxwell Apple), a somewhat withdrawn kid, hero worships brash New York Knicks guard John Starks to the point that he wears a Starks jersey almost non-stop. The two are polar opposite personalities, and the only one who really understands John's obsession is his protective older brother Anthony (Keidrich Sellati, Henry from "The Americans"). Why does John need Anthony's protection? Well that's due to their abusive father (Wass Stevens, THE WRESTLER) who is bitter and angry most of the time - and takes it out on the boys and their mother (Marjan Neshat). The brothers share two wishes: a championship for their beloved Knicks and a more peaceful living environment without their abusive father. They are so focused on the latter that they've created a scheme to "off" the angry dad - this despite their mother's promise to take them away from it all as soon as she finds work in another city. It's about this time when John and Anthony meet some other neighborhood boys, and what follows is the easy camaraderie of kids when no parents are polluting the moment (an ideal that seems quite antiquated in this day and age). Billy (a standout Harrison Wittmeyer) is the mature-beyond-his years leader, Dom (James DiGiamcomo) is the unathletic jokester, Brian (Tanner Flood) is the brainy one, and Sal (Colin Critchley) is the motor-mouthed preener. The boys share a love of sports and the fine art of needling each other with sharp cut-downs. In other words, they are kids being kids, and this escapism opens up a new world for Anthony and John. It's a coming of age story with obvious comparisons to STAND BY ME and THE SANDLOT, and though not at the level of either of those classics, it does feature some fine nostalgic moments of childhood. The film suffers a bit from an ending that's overly sappy and clean, though kudos to all involved if this is true to their life. It's certainly a stretch for most. Adults are more likely than kids to find appeal here, and the film might have benefited from a better exploration of what drove the dad to such extremes.

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