Vince Vaughn brings his everyman charm to the biopic genre for director Stephen Chbosky in “Nonnas” from Netflix. Liz Maccie pens the film’s screenplay, which is inspired by the life story of Jody Scaravella.
The film opens by introducing us to young Joe Scaravella in the sixties as he gathers groceries from local merchants for Sunday dinner. It then cuts to the present day, with an adult Joe (Vaughn) at his mother’s repast and unsure what to do with his life.
One day, while experimenting in the kitchen, Joe risks everything to honour his late mother by opening an Italian restaurant with a group of local grandmothers as the chefs. While Joe’s best friend Bruno (Joe Manganiello) is initially against the idea, Bruno’s wife Stella (Drea De Matto) is on board and helps bring Bruno over.
Joe then recruits the grandmothers of his mom’s best friend Roberta (Lorraine Bracco), hairdresser Gia (Susan Sanadaron), former nun Teresa (Talia Shire), and Antonella (Brenda Vaccaro), the neighbour of his high school prom date Olivia (Linda Cardellini), whom he recently reunited with.
I’ve always had a soft spot for films inspired by real-life events. Their emotional depth and authenticity often resonate with me, and I was particularly impressed by the director’s masterful adaptation of the play Dear Evan Hansen. Given that, watching Nonnas felt like a seamless experience that captivated me with its heartfelt storytelling and relatable characters.
Mostly, “Nonnas” follows the underdog template to a t. However, the strength of the film is Vaughn’s acting. I’m not saying that Vaughn turns in an Oscar-worthy performance, but it was refreshing to see him tone his usual Schick of slightly goofy and loud quips for more of an endearing personality. We know that Joe is going to succeed, but it was still a joy to watch Vaughn get to the finish line.
The women who make up the titular characters were a joy to watch on screen. Each woman gets a moment to shine, and they have an organic chemistry with one another. I commend the script for avoiding clichéd scenes, such as the characters using medical cannabis or having a “cougar moment” just for a laugh. Instead, these women have issues whose lives are made brighter by their cooking experiences in the restaurant.
The supporting cast tends to fall into typical character tropes, but it’s clear that they are having fun with their roles. Kudos to Geoffrey Owens, who has a brief but memorable cameo. Finally, as a foodie, it was also great to see close-up shots of the food being made.
While it doesn’t break any new ground, “Nonnas” is a harmless tribute to family traditions that will make for a great viewing experience this Mother’s Day weekend.
Final Grade: B+
NONNAS is available to stream on Netflix on May 9th, 2025.
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