Living on City Island in the Bronx, Vince Rizzo, portrayed by Andy García, is a prison guard who juggles the complexities of a highly dysfunctional family, where each member harbors their own secrets. Unbeknownst to his family, Vince discovers that his estranged illegitimate son, Tony Nardella, played by Steven Strait, is a 24-year-old inmate at the very prison where he works. The locals, known as clam diggers, inhabit the island, while muscle suckers are the immigrants from outside who seek their fortune there.
In a bid to bond with his unknowing son without revealing their connection, Vince takes the bold step of getting Tony out of prison, employing him secretly as hired help. His agenda? To construct a bathroom in their outhouse within just 30 days while forging a relationship with Tony. Meanwhile, Vince has been pursuing acting lessons with the quirky instructor Michael Malakov, played by Alan Arkin, which leads him to develop a close, platonic friendship with Molly, an aspiring actress portrayed by Emily Mortimer.
Vince confides in Molly about his fabricated poker night and about Tony, revealing the depth of his family issues. The Rizzo family is steeped in dysfunction; Vince Jr. is apathetic towards schooling, feeling destined for a dull existence similar to his father’s. Vince attempts to convince his wife Joyce, played by Julianna Margulies, that being a secretary is less fulfilling than having a meaningful career. Joyce, full of regrets, discloses that she could have obtained her college degree had she not become pregnant with their daughter, Vivian.
At the dinner table, Vince Jr. ignites a troubling conversation when he questions Vivian about her physical development. As he continues to find solace in Molly's company, she presents him with advertisements for engaging film projects, urging him to audition, which he nervously accepts. Upon arriving at the audition for a Martin Scorsese film featuring Robert De Niro, he is met with crowds lining the street, signaling the magnitude of his ambition.
Vivian, played by Dominik García-Lorido, grapples with her hidden struggles; she’s been suspended from college due to marijuana use, lost her scholarship, undergone breast augmentation, and is working as a stripper to fund her education. Their younger sibling, Vinnie, harbors an unusual sexual interest in larger women, particularly their neighbor, which leads to his troubling use of Joyce's credit card on adult websites.
Joyce, feeling the void in her relationship with Vince, unknowingly becomes flirtatious with Tony, unaware of their familial link. The tension escalates when Vince Jr. discovers Tony's past, leading to family secrets bubbling to the surface. Amid all this, Vince’s acting aspirations come to fruition during a candid audition where he captures the casting director’s attention and earns a callback.
As the family's chaos peaks, Tony feels compelled to break free from the madness of the Rizzo household. In a twist of fate, he steals Vince's car only to stumble upon Vivian at the strip club. Meanwhile, Joyce discovers a business card belonging to Molly and misinterprets Vince’s relationship with her, believing that he is unfaithful.
Vince, meanwhile, attempts to bring everything to light, and during a heated confrontation, he reveals the tangled web of truth: he’s indeed trying for an acting career, Tony is his son, and Vivian’s secret life as a stripper. As emotions explode, he acknowledges the myriad of issues plaguing their family and expresses a desire to confront them head-on.
In a cathartic moment, the family members come together to admit their faults, welcoming Tony into their chaotic yet loving fold. Vince secures the coveted film role, while Molly departs to return to her own family, encapsulating the complex yet heartwarming journey of the Rizzo clan.
