May 12, 2025 · Watch the official trailer
It feels like lighthearted family comedies are a thing of the past.
Once a staple of traditional box office fare, studios aren't really investing in mid-budget movies targeted to be something moviegoers could bring their moms to and enjoy some quality family time at the cinema.
Streaming services have somewhat cornered the market on the medium budget studio comedy with lackluster success, though quietly a new film based on an unlikely true story is the type of movie perfect for Mother's Day and something sorely missed at theaters.
“Nonnas,” directed by Stephen Chbosky and starring Vince Vaughn, follows Joe, a grieving middle-aged man following the loss of his mother, who uses her life insurance policy to buy a restaurant in Staten Island. Rather than hiring professional chefs to cook the food, he honors his mother’s heritage by finding Italian grandmothers, or “nonnas,” to create a warm, loving atmosphere and cuisine based on the idea that food is love.
The film is an exceptionally heartwarming yet simple story that may drag just a touch in the second act and suffer from some structural narrative problems. But there's a genuine warmth to the entire production that can be felt throughout that makes “Nonnas” a compelling tug at the heartstrings.
Vaughn is perhaps the least funny he's been in quite some time as Joe, and the mere earnestness of his character amidst his grief gives audiences a throughline to the story that might not be apparent at first as it takes Chbosky and screenwriter Liz Maccie some time to introduce the “nonnas” to the film.
Even though the script is such that audiences will never really truly be in doubt about what happens next, the gentle nature of Vaughn's performance carries the day as both the weight of his mother's loss and unrelenting love for him shine through as the story progresses.
The true centerpiece of “Nonnas,” however, is the vivacious and vibrant work done by four legendary Hollywood actresses coming together for the first time.
There isn't a film with Susan Sarandon that she doesn't completely steal scenes in and “Nonnas” is no exception. The magnetic energy Sarandon brings to scenes elevates and layers the comedy in spite of the film's PG rating and Sarandon is adept enough to ensure that her performance is in keeping with her cohorts and does not overwhelm the unity that the four “nonnas” are to share in the narrative.
“Goodfellas” star Lorraine Bracco and Brenda Vaccaro of “Midnight Cowboy” fame have dynamic repartee going back and forth with their characters’ regional cooking rivalry and their dynamic energy opposite one another creates tension while adding levity to the character work.
“The Godfather” and “Rocky” actress Talia Shire is an unexpected treat as a "nonna” joining the group bringing her convent recipes to the table after retiring from being a nun.
Scenes pinball back and forth between these four dynamic actresses who push the material much farther than what’s on the written page.
There is a secondary slight romance storyline for Vaughn's Joe with “Green Book” actress Linda Cardellini that works as a change of pace far better than the construction storyline that colors Joe's relationship with his close friends played by “Sopranos” star Drea de Matteo and a miscasts Joe Manganiello that drags the overall film down just a touch.
Films about cooking often have a cinematic visual flair because of the bold colors of the culinary world and the decent allure that the artistry of the culinary world can provide.
While “Nonnas” isn't quite on par with top cooking films like “The Menu,” “Chef,” or “Julie & Julia,” there are some brief moments visually that draw the audience into the cooking and reinforce the heart of the film through food scenes.
“Nonnas” is a film that needs to be shared with family and although it's definitely a disappointment not to have Chbosky’s film be given a theatrical run, its ease of accessibility on Netflix makes “Nonnas” the perfect after dinner treat on family night.
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