The new Netflix film "Nonnas" follows Joe, (played by Vince Vaughn), who is mourning the recent loss of his mother.
Using the money she left behind, he purchases and renovates a shuttered Italian restaurant in Staten Island, transforming it into Enoteca Maria.
To honor his mother’s memory, he hires real-life grandmothers — Nonnas as known in Italian — as the restaurant’s chefs.
The restaurant becomes a labor of love for Joe, his best friend Bruno (played by Joe Manganiello), and Bruno’s wife Stella (played by Drea de Matteo).
While juggling his job as a bus mechanic, Joe embraces his new venture as a way to honor his mother and preserve generations of tradition.
The film captures the warmth of chosen family as the Nonna chefs —including his mom’s best friend Roberta (played by Lorraine Bracco), Antonella (played by Brenda Vaccaro), retired nun Teresa (played by Talia Shire) and neighborhood hairdresser Gia (played by Susan Sarandon) —bring their own stories to the table.
Their in-fighting, particularly between the feisty Roberta and Antonella, adds humor and heart to the story.
"Nonnas" is filled with authentic moments that will resonate with anyone who has felt the loss of a loved one. Vaughn delivers a strong performance, and the four actresses portraying the Nonnas steal the spotlight in a memorable bonding scene over shots of Limoncello.
The film is inspired by New York restaurateur Joey Scaravella’s real-life journey. After losing his mother and grandmother, he channeled his grief into creating Enoteca Maria, a Staten Island restaurant where real grandmothers from different cultures prepare meals from their homelands.
His idea — to bring together grandmothers as chefs instead of professionals — has turned into a popular dining experience celebrating heritage and tradition.
Since the film’s premiere, Scaravella’s phone has been ringing off the hook, making reservations tough to secure.
Running 1 hour and 51 minutes and now streaming on Netflix, "Nonnas" is a film worth watching that serves up comfort, both on-screen and in the kitchen.
And I’ll close with a tip … don’t watch "Nonnas" if you’re hungry — seriously. Its mouthwatering shots of traditional Italian dishes will have you craving a home-cooked meal from a Nonna.
