NONNAS
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Lorraine Bracco, Linda Cardellini, Joe Manganiello, Drea de Matteo, Brenda Vaccaro, Talia Shire, Michael Rispoli, Campbell Scott, and Susan Sarandon
Director: Stephen Chbosky
KATIE
Nonnas is an unexpectedly heart-warming comedy inspired by a true story. I loved the themes of connecting to your heritage and loved ones through food, and the sincere approach to the story makes it overly sweet, but easy to enjoy. The “nonnas” Susan Sarandon, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire, and Brenda Vaccaro are an endlessly charming bunch, and although some of their scenes don’t quite work, their performances are still a pleasure to watch, complemented by Vince Vaughn’s reliable, good-guy charm. Like the best Italian dishes, Nonnas is warm, cheesy, and familiar; a true Sunday afternoon kind of film.
ADRIANO
As an Italian man, I may have a bias to this personally relatable story, but I was so endeared by Nonnas that it nearly brought me to tears. I don't expect people without that connection to have a similar reaction as the movie can be pretty flat, both dramatically and comedically. But when I watched the nonnas and Joe (Vince Vaughn) discuss their familial migration history in a warm and goofy way, it was hard not to smile. Now, if you will excuse me, I'm going to go hug my nonnas.
ROBERT
A recipe for a successful Vince Vaughn comedy usually doesn’t rely on heart and emotion, but The Internship proved that is when his films are at their most unique. Nonnas is no exception, as juvenile humor has been replaced with warm messaging about honoring elders and the dead, and keeping family alive in tradition passed down, like food. Those heartfelt moments spoke to me the most, and seeing actresses I haven’t seen on screen in a while, like Lorraine Bracco and Talia Shire, inspired the most joy. I went in expecting something like 80 for Brady, but was fed something much more substantial.
