Vince Vaughn’s ‘Nonnas’ Serves Heartfelt Comedy—But Should You Order a Second Helping?

Following several years dedicated to off-screen roles, Vince Vaughn is making a comeback in the acting world, starting with Apple TV+’s hit crime comedy “Bad Monkey”, and more recently with Netflix’s “Nonnas”. Despite “Bad Monkey” representing a shift for him, “Nonnas” seems like a revisit to the lighter comedies that made him famous. However, unlike films such as “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story” or “The Internship”, this movie spends a bit too much time establishing itself before making a significant impact.

Drawing upon real-life events, Vaughn portrays the character of Joe Scaravella, a Manhattan MTA employee dealing with the loss of his mother and questioning his life’s direction. Having found solace and bonded with his mom and grandmother (whom he affectionately referred to as “nonnas”) through cooking, Joe is motivated to establish a restaurant in Staten Island using his mother’s insurance money. The kitchen staff at this unique eatery consists solely of Italian grandmothers, aiming to instill a sense of family for the patrons. As Joe navigates the chefs’ squabbles, monetary obstacles, and resistance from the community, he must persevere to bring his dream to life.

Nonnas’ Plot Really Takes A While To Become Compelling

The Genre Formula Makes The Proceedings Feel A Bit Slow

In Scaravella’s heartwarming tale, I anticipated its influence on the grandmother’s narrative; however, for most of the film, it seemed overly predictable. The sequence of events, such as Joe’s friends initially snubbing his pleas for assistance, later becoming enthusiastic about his restaurant idea, and the chefs’ contentious personalities threatening to derail his plans, are all quite familiar.

While Liz Maccie’s script isn’t inherently poor, it offers some unexpected twists towards the end, especially in the closing moments. However, the main issue arises from its likeness to other works, causing “Nonnas” to seem overly prolonged by the midpoint of the film. This becomes problematic, as a film lasting close to two hours can feel tedious when one is waiting for the narrative to progress to the next genre milestone.

Nonna’s Cast Of Characters Really Keeps It Afloat

Punchy Personalities & Meaningful Explorations Of Grief Make For Some Great Moments

In contrast to the potential lackluster plot structure, the film’s greatest strength lies in the impressive ensemble cast directed by Stephen Chbosky. The leading chefs, in particular, stand out with their stellar performances. Susan Sarandon, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire, and Brenda Vaccaro are delightful additions to the cast, each bringing unique character traits to the table. Sarandon once again showcases her acting prowess as the self-assured group member, while Bracco and Vaccaro provide plenty of humor with their portrayals of the fiercely proud Italian grandmothers who bicker over regional superiority.

Among all the chefs, I found myself particularly drawn to Shire, who portrayed the gentle and compassionate Teresa. Although I won’t delve into specifics to avoid spoilers, the movie uncovers that she was a nun forced out of her convent and sought new opportunities at the restaurant. Eager to make a difference and bring joy to others, her character stands out among the group. As the story unfolds, there’s a surprising revelation about her past that, when coupled with her excellent acting, quickly made her a favorite for many viewers.

In simpler terms, I found myself undecided about Vaughn’s performance as Scaravella. Despite my belief that Vaughn is a highly capable dramatic actor, his performance in Nonnas truly showcased this talent, particularly when portraying the emotional turmoil from losing his mother. However, I felt that there was something missing during the comedic scenes, making it seem like he was merely going through the motions rather than fully engaging with the lighter aspects of the film.

The Movie’s Food Direction Is Appropriately Gorgeous

I’ve Never Craved Italian Food This Much In My Life

Chbosky’s professional journey has been quite captivating, as he’s consistently moved between roles as a screenwriter, director, and novelist. Among his many works, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” stands out as one of his most significant accomplishments. Although most of his directorial ventures revolve around realistic narratives, “Nonnas” presents an intriguing departure for him with its focus on food. It’s truly impressive to see how skillfully he portrayed the art of cooking in this film.

Since Jon Favreau’s “Chef”, no film’s culinary scenes have been as mouth-watering as those in “Nonnas“, making me even more eager for the characters to return to the kitchen. With dishes ranging from homemade pasta to elegantly crafted cannolis, and even the rare delicacy of capuzzelle, the aroma wafting from the screen made me feel as if I were actually in the kitchen. The captivating cast certainly kept me engaged throughout the movie.

Nonnas begins streaming on Netflix on May 9.

2025-05-09 05:10