Remember when you were a kid, wanting to be the first to sample grandma’s cooking. Knowing that what she prepared for her family was going to be delicious. Excitement filled the air when the aroma of what she was making was soon ready for everyone to eat. The events that transcended during the wonderful family get togethers were memories that lasted forever as each member would sometimes retell the stories that encompassed these gatherings. 
After the death of his mother, Maria (Kate Eastman), Joe Scaravella (Vince Vaughn) struggles to move forward and venture onward with his life. As a child he was very close with his mother and Nonna (Karen Giordano), he loved to come into the kitchen and sample the food they both were making for the rest of the family. His admiration for his mother and grandmother was very strong, that his heart sits empty as he faces his future. His best friend Bruno (Joe Manganiello) and wife, Stella (Drea de Matteo) try to help him get out of his depression. They suggest he should spend some of his inheritance and get something that will help him feel better and look forward to.
On a strong feeling, Joe purchases a rundown abandoned restaurant in Staten Island near the market district, that later Bruno and his wife claim he bought on a whim. After finally convincing Bruno and having him make the necessary renovations to the building, on a promise that he will pay him when the restaurant takes off. Joe now struggles with completing the necessary documents and preparations needed to get state approval.
When Joe meets Olivia (Linda Cardellini) and her neighbor Antonella (Brenda Vaccaro), his realization becomes complete. His choice to have real Italian grandmothers cook in his new restaurant kitchen could be a reality. With help from an advertisement and some convincing, he is able to get Antonella, his Aunt Roberta (Lorraine Bracco), his mother’s best friend Gia (Susan Sarandon), and Teresa (Talia Shire). From there the journey begins as all of his most difficult conquests are now just beginning.
Based on a true story, about a boy who grows up watching his mother and grandmother (Nonna) make their creations of devotion in the kitchen. When they are not in his life anymore, he decides to open a restaurant that is based on all Italian Nonnas to bring the love of food and the feeling of family back to the world. This important dream that was given to us all resides in a wonderful place on an island so close to where many of our heritages began in this country.
Putting together and presenting this story to get the same effect as it originally did for Joe Scaravella was a hard task for director Stephen Chbosky. He worked hard to recreate the true events that surrounded Joe’s dream and was able to allow the viewer to understand the difficulty he had. Building up the narrative with ups and downs this quest finally develops into an expected conclusion that Stephen intended for us all to witness. Writers Liz Maccie, and Jody Scaravella included as much details as possible that occurred during Joe’s creation, that would honor his mother and grandmother. For Joe, their food was their love for him and his belief, is to share this type of adoration, is to share his family to the world.
Chbosky put this group of stars in front of the silver screen to execute and deliver an outstanding hit that will surely be considered for its excellent performance from the cast and along with a beautifully developed narrative that truly expresses the intentions of the events it was based on. Showing now on Netflix, and worth every minute is the amazing tale that will definitely cheer up your day.
Final Comment: I based my grade on a spectacular retelling, and the remarkable presentation from the performers.
Stars 4.75 out of 5
Additional Film Information
Cast: Vince Vaughn, Susan Sarandon, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire, Brenda Vaccaro, Drea de Matteo, Joe Manganiello, Michael Rispoli, Campbell Scott, and Linda Cardellini.
Directed by: Stephen Chbosky
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: Rated PG for suggestive material, language and thematic elements.
Running Time: 1 hour and 51 minutes.
Release Date: 5/9/2025
Distributed By: Netflix
Release In: Streaming
