To be honest, when the film starts out with all the usual Italian soundtracks and shots of Italian food, it felt like Nonnas was going to be stereotypical. To a certain extent, it is, with all the familiar story beats we’ve seen in other biopics. However, there’s a sincere understanding of what makes this real life story work. It’s not just all beautiful shots of Italian food placed for set dressing– It’s a celebration of the food culture that continues to survive through the craft of these immigrant women. While technically a biopic about Joe Scaravella, director Stephen Chbosky and screenwriter Liz Maccie clearly recognize these women as the community that helped keep their culture alive. It’s a delight to see the talented ensemble– Susan Sarandon, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire, and Brenda Vaccaro– let loose and have fun here. Nonnas isn’t the most unique biopic ever created, but it’s certainly warm and hearty enough to swallow.
"It isn’t a prestige film; it’s the kind of story that reminds us we can heal through connections to the past and each other. I could sit and eat a bowl of it, topped with Pecorino Romano and a good Sunday gravy."
— Sherin Nicole
"Repeatedly drives home its point about the unifying force of a homecooked meal as an embodiment of community, and even as it overcrowds its narrative pot with too many unnecessary condiments that get lost in the mix, the result is ultimately palatable."
— Carlos Aguilar
After losing his beloved mother, a man risks everything to honor her by opening an Italian restaurant with actual nonnas — grandmothers — as the chefs.
After losing his mother, Joe Scaravella risks everything to honor her by opening Enoteca Maria, a Staten Island restaurant inspired by her cooking, with actual grandmothers as the chefs.
The food!!! It just looks so delicious, and I love that they highlighted dishes other than pizza.
Vince Vaugh is Italian?!
DGA
1 win
