CinemaBlind’s Review – 75%
Nonnas is a heartwarming portrayal of a story about motherly love, food, and passion. It might not be one of the best Netflix originals film, but it is certainly a film that brought tears from my eyes and because of that I am full heartedly recommending for you to watch this film.
Directed by Stephen Chbosky from a screenplay by Liz Maccie, the upcoming Netflix film is based on the real life of Joe Scaravella, the owner of Staten Island restaurant Enoteca Maria. It follows Joe just after he loses his mother, and to honor the memories of his mother, Joe impulsively buys a restaurant with a plan to hire real nonnas as chefs.
Nonnas does run a bit longer than it needed to, and there is visible fat that could be cut out, but personally, I didn’t mind the nearly two-hour-long runtime as I fell in love with each and every character. There are also some characters that would have benefited from a little bit more runtime.
When it comes to performances, I think almost everybody knocked it out of the park because each and every character in the film felt real and relatable. Vince Vaughn does a commendable job as the leading man who kind of wears his heart on his sleeve. Linda Cardellini also gives a fine performance alongside Susan Sarandon, but the three main Nonnas stole the show for me, mainly Talia Shire‘s Teresa. Also, Joe Manganiello and Drea de Matteo are fun to watch as a married couple.
In conclusion, Nonnas is a feel-good type of film, and while it is based on a real story, it does feel very similar to other films like No Reservations and This Is Where I Leave You. In the end, Nonnas is a very heartfelt film that will appeal to you if you love food, nonnas, or your mother.