I don't know about you, but in recent years, it's become increasingly difficult to find a movie to watch with your parents, grandparents, and even your little cousins, simply because cinema has become so graphic thanks to the advantages of OTT platforms. Don't get me wrong; I'm not saying filmmakers shouldn't have the freedom to be as creative as they want with their product, but I do miss a good family drama that the whole family can watch—and no, I'm not talking about a Disney animated film, because the sad truth is that a lot of people simply don't like animation. So, when you're at a large gathering and there's a huge age gap, what do you reach for? A movie about food.
We've all heard the saying "nothing brings people together like good food," and I'd like to say "nothing brings people together like a movie about good food." The irony is that this is the second movie I've seen this year about opening an Italian restaurant, and I'm pretty sure I forced my dad to watch the previous one because it was a perfect "family" movie. I wonder if Netflix is listening and genuinely trying to cater to this audience, or if it just happened.
Director: Stephen Chbosky
Writers: Liz Maccie, Jody Scaravella
Stars: Vince Vaughn, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire
Nonnas begins with a young boy named Joey strolling through his neighborhood after buying Italian bread and returning home to his mother and grandmother, who are busy preparing a delicious Italian meal for a group of people. Suddenly, the lights go out, and the boy becomes a man abandoned after his mother's death. Vince Vaughn plays Joey, a middle-aged man who suddenly decides to use the money his mother left him to open a restaurant on Staten Island. What's the restaurant's unique feature? you might ask. The chefs will be real-life nonnas who bring their homemade recipes to life.
Before explaining why this movie is worth watching, I'd like to mention a few disappointing aspects so you don't go away with too high expectations. In Nonnas, the biggest flaw I found is that there's a large middle section where the food is missing. This part feels a bit heavy because, of course, we want to know what's happening in the plot, but we're also here to be fascinated by a delicious-looking Italian meal (even if it includes lamb's head). Because of this, I found it a bit long and could have been shorter by about 20 minutes for a more complete feel. I also felt the construction of the Nonnas' characters was a bit lacking, with only crumbs of context that we needed a whole focaccia to eat.
But we don't watch Nonnas to feel like moviegoers; we watch it to be entertained, and entertainment is what it is. If I had to classify it as a genre, I'd consider it a family drama. The drama isn't intense; it's more about finding yourself while aspiring to make something of yourself, even in your 40s. There's a comic relief, especially when the Italian grandmothers come in. They're lively and caring, and although it sounds a bit stereotypical, we love a good Italian volume; it's like garlic, indispensable to Italian food.
The film is based on a true story and certainly recites clichés lightly, but my favorite might be "Don't let old hurts keep you from a happy new beginning." I think you could also say the entire story is inspired by this phrase, and it's certainly relevant to the modern American dream, if I had to label it. Visually, the film doesn't stand out; it's not like The Bear, but when there's food, it looks absolutely delicious, and I think that's enough to make you want to watch it with your endless plate of pasta or homemade pizza. Sure, it's a sentimental film, but it's not a tear-jerker, so don't worry if you watch it with a large group, although I think some might get a little distracted at some points.
With an ensemble cast, there's not much to say about the performances, which are, of course, fantastic. I already briefly mentioned Vince Vaughn, who is also the film's executive producer. He has his natural charm and easygoing nature, but he knows he's not the protagonist; he's simply a facilitator. The real stars are Susan Sarandon, Lorraine Bracco, Brenda Vaccaro, and Talia Shire, also known as the Nonnas. This heartwarming film comes alive thanks to the energy these women transmit with their smiles and love. What makes it even more special is the soundtrack, which also includes a surprising classic. Linda Cardellini is a gem as always, and even though she has a very small role, she is always charming.
At its core, Nonnas explores themes of grief, isolation, and identity, wrapped up in a gooey cannoli. We're drawn to this film by Joey's determined optimism, which lives up to the American obsession with starting small businesses. In keeping with this ideology, the film tackles bureaucracy and bosses, both evils that ordinary people must overcome. It's not as serious as I make it out to be, but it's simply a fun element you might want to keep in mind. So, get your pasta ready, buy some wine and soda (for the kids), and watch Nonnas for some quality family time. Yes, you'll want pasta, especially early on in the film. There's one bit that might be a bit inappropriate for kids, but I don't think it's terribly important in the big picture. I'd give Nonnas 3.5 out of 5 stars and hope someone can buy me a ticket to Staten Island.
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