The aroma of simmering sauces, the warmth of a bustling kitchen, and the promise of heartfelt connections: these are the familiar comforts that Netflix’s new film, “Nonnas,” aims to deliver. The movie, starring Vince Vaughn and Susan Sarandon, taps into a collective yearning for narratives steeped in family, food, and the solace of second chances. It presents itself as the cinematic equivalent of a cherished family recipe, promising nourishment for the soul. However, like any dish, its success lies in the balance of its ingredients. “Nonnas” attempts to blend the genuine warmth of its real-life inspiration and a stellar veteran cast with the familiar rhythms of feel-good cinema. The question is whether it successfully melds these elements or if its adherence to a sweet, sometimes formulaic, recipe leaves a slightly predictable aftertaste.
The film’s arrival underscores its thematic focus on matriarchs, familial bonds, and nostalgic comfort.
Another family comedy without much to say? Coincidentally, it’s prepped and cooked just in time for Mother’s Day (in the United States).
The Recipe: From True Story to Screen – The Genesis of Enoteca Maria and its Cinematic Adaptation
The inspiration for “Nonnas” is the heartwarming true story of Jody “Joe” Scaravella. In 2007, reeling from the loss of his mother, Maria, and his grandmother, Scaravella sought a way to honor their memory and the profound comfort their cooking had always provided. His solution was Enoteca Maria, a unique restaurant venture in Staten Island, New York, initially staffed by Italian grandmothers, or “nonnas,” each cooking treasured regional dishes as if for their own families.
The real Enoteca Maria, however, evolved beyond its initial Italian-centric concept. In July 2015, Scaravella introduced the “Nonna of the World” program, inviting grandmothers from diverse cultural backgrounds—including Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Peru, Japan, Greece, and Egypt—to share their culinary traditions. This celebrated multiculturalism became a hallmark of the restaurant. The film adaptation navigates this evolution with a nuanced approach.
Screenwriter Liz Maccie, married to director Stephen Chbosky, has spoken of her Italian-American upbringing, calling the film a “love letter to her family.” This personal lens, while lending authenticity and heart, might also prioritize a more traditionally recognized immigrant narrative within American cinema.
The real-life restaurant’s journey to the Netflix film involved Maccie co-writing the screenplay with the actual Jody Scaravella, ensuring his personal story and motivations were woven into the narrative. Production companies Madison Wells and Matador Content secured Scaravella’s life rights to develop the project. His direct involvement and presence on set, as noted by producer Gigi Pritzker, who recalled Scaravella diligently managing his restaurant’s reservation book even during filming, likely grounded the “heartwarming true story” aspect of the film, particularly Joe’s emotional journey. The authenticity of the setting was further enhanced by using the now-closed Spiritos restaurant in Elizabeth, New Jersey, as the location for Enoteca Maria, with additional filming in Bayonne and Paterson, New Jersey.
The Head Chef and His Kitchen: Vince Vaughn and the Nonnas – Performances and Character Dynamics
Vince Vaughn steps into the role of Joe Scaravella, delivering a performance widely noted as a departure from his more boisterous comedic personas. Vaughn embodies Joe as a “big softie,” a man grappling with profound grief following the loss of his mother and grandmother, who impulsively decides to open a restaurant despite having no prior industry experience. Vaughn himself connected deeply with the film’s themes of family, loss, and the search for connection, and he had the opportunity to meet the real Joe Scaravella, an experience he found impressive.
Susan Sarandon plays Gia, the restaurant’s pastry chef, who also owns a beauty salon and gives the other nonnas makeovers. Gia’s character also serves as a catalyst for deeper connection.
The true culinary and emotional heart of the film, however, lies in the ensemble of actresses portraying the “nonnas.” Their interactions, ranging from spirited arguments (including a food fight) to bonding (more over makeovers than food), are central to the film’s charm. Through their work at Enoteca Maria, these women find a new sense of purpose and forge a chosen family.
The supporting cast includes Linda Cardellini as Olivia, Joe’s former prom date with whom he reconnects. Cardellini is noted for a poignant scene where she discusses her late husband. Joe Manganiello plays Bruno, Joe’s best friend and supporter, a contractor who helps set up the restaurant.
Drea de Matteo portrays Stella, Bruno’s wife, who offers moral support and some comedic moments, though her role is also seen by some as limited.
While Joe Scaravella is the catalyst for the story, the film’s true emotional gravity and audience connection may lie with these older women.
Furthermore, the casting of such iconic actresses as Sarandon, Bracco, Shire, and Vaccaro—a “murderers’ row of legends,” as Chbosky called them—was a clear strategy to imbue the film with nostalgia and gravitas. While their collective charm is undeniable, the script doesn’t always seem to provide the necessary depth to fully leverage their formidable talents.
Direction, Script, and Ambiance – Crafting the ‘Nonnas’ Experience
Director Stephen Chbosky, acclaimed for “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” and “Wonder,” brings his sensibility for heartfelt storytelling to “Nonnas.” This project marks a return to a simpler style after his work on “Dear Evan Hansen.” Chbosky aimed to strike a balance between heart and humor, emphasizing themes of community, shared meals, and fostering connection. His marriage to screenwriter Liz Maccie and his immersion in her Italian-American family provided a rich wellspring of personal experience that informed the film’s authentic feel and intimate details; he described the film as akin to a “home movie” for them. He fostered an environment conducive to strong performances, notably allowing for improvisation between Lorraine Bracco and Brenda Vaccaro, and facilitating the powerful salon scene led by Susan Sarandon.
Liz Maccie’s screenplay, co-written with the real Jody Scaravella, is deeply imbued with her own Italian-American upbringing, where “food was another language for my family.” This personal connection is a significant source of the film’s earnestness.
Visually, “Nonnas” benefits from the work of cinematographer Florian Ballhaus, who previously collaborated with Chbosky on “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” Ballhaus is praised for capturing working-class Staten Island with beauty and authenticity, avoiding gimmickry, and for making the culinary creations look “mouthwatering” and almost “sacred.”
The on-screen meals were brought to life by food stylist Jason Forella, an alumnus of the Institute of Culinary Education. Forella meticulously planned menus and worked closely with the cast, leading to charming on-set anecdotes: Vince Vaughn’s intense concentration during a pasta-making scene, Talia Shire sharing her mother’s technique of using a wine bottle as a rolling pin (a detail incorporated into the film), Susan Sarandon sneaking tastes of whipped cream, and Joe Manganiello and Drea De Matteo consuming copious amounts of tiramisu for a scene. Forella described the set atmosphere as akin to a lively holiday gathering, filled with cooking, eating, and laughter.
Producer Gigi Pritzker recounted significant hurdles, including industry strikes and wildfires causing unhealthy air quality, all under a tight shooting schedule with little room for error. Securing backing for an independent, non-genre-specific, feel-good family film also proved an initial obstacle.
The Main Course: Themes on the Table – Exploring the Emotional Core of ‘Nonnas’
“Nonnas” generously serves up several resonant themes, primarily centering on the human experience of loss, connection, and the enduring power of tradition. At its heart, the film is a poignant exploration of grief and the act of honoring memory. Joe Scaravella’s decision to open Enoteca Maria is a direct response to the death of his mother and grandmother, a tribute to their love and the culinary heritage they passed down. The film beautifully illustrates how food can serve as a tangible link to those we’ve lost, keeping their spirit alive through cherished recipes and shared meals. This portrayal offers an active model of grieving, where creation and community become potent antidotes to loss, contrasting with more passive depictions of mourning.
The theme of family – both biological and chosen – is paramount. The narrative venerates family recipes and traditions passed down through generations. More significantly, it celebrates the formation of a new, chosen family among Joe and the “nonnas,” emphasizing that familial bonds can be forged beyond blood ties. While celebrating tradition, the film also subtly explores its evolution, particularly as the women find new roles and agency outside of conventional domesticity, suggesting how traditions can adapt within new social contexts.
Tradition and cultural heritage, specifically Italian-American culture, are vividly portrayed through recipes, language, and family dynamics. If the film truly touches upon the “Nonna of the World” aspect of the real Enoteca Maria, it also gently underscores how food can transcend cultural barriers, fostering understanding and connection.
“Nonnas” is also a story of second chances and renewed purpose. Joe, adrift after his loss and stuck in a dead-end job, finds new direction in life. Similarly, the nonnas – often widowed, retired, or feeling disconnected – discover fresh vitality, community, and a sense of belonging in the restaurant’s kitchen.
Underpinning all these themes is the power of food to connect and heal. Food is depicted as a “love language,” a means of communication that transcends words. The act of cooking and sharing meals becomes a conduit for building bonds, expressing affection, and bridging differences, ultimately nourishing not just the body but also the spirit.
Is ‘Nonnas’ a Michelin Star or a Meal Miss?
“Nonnas” ultimately serves up a cinematic dish that is familiar, comforting, and undeniably heartfelt. Its strengths lie in the genuine warmth it exudes, the collective charm of its seasoned cast, Vince Vaughn’s refreshingly nuanced performance, and the lovingly depicted Italian cuisine that practically wafts off the screen. It successfully achieves its ambition of being “cinematic comfort food.”
However, the film is not without its culinary imperfections. Its reliance on a predictable narrative formula, occasional use of well-worn clichés, and, most significantly, the potential underdevelopment of the individual women’s stories prevent it from achieving true gastronomic greatness. While Joe Scaravella’s journey is the framework, many viewers may leave wishing for a more substantial taste of the lives and legacies of the captivating women who are, by all accounts, the special ingredient.
The film is likely to find a receptive audience among those seeking an uplifting and emotionally straightforward movie, particularly viewers who appreciate stories centered on family, food, and Italian-American culture.
In a final assessment, “Nonnas” is a film that knows its audience and largely delivers on its promise of warmth and comfort. While it may not offer groundbreaking culinary or narrative innovation, its core ingredients of heart, strong performances, and the universal language of food and family make for an enjoyable, if somewhat predictable, experience. The real-life coda mentioned by critics may offer viewers a welcome glimpse into the richer, more diverse reality of Enoteca Maria.
Indeed, the film’s most lasting impact might be less about its own artistic merits and more about its role in popularizing the inspiring true story of Joe Scaravella and his unique restaurant, potentially sparking curiosity and appreciation for the real Enoteca Maria and its ongoing celebration of global grandmothers and the love cooked into every dish.
Where to Watch “Nonnas”
