Nonnas Review: A Heartfelt Meal at Home

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Nonnas is one of the most heartfelt and touching movies I’ve seen this year. In a sea of forgettable streaming releases, this Netflix gem stands tall. From the moment it starts, Nonnas feels like a warm embrace, the kind of film that nestles into your heart and lingers long after the credits roll. I’ll admit, I usually approach Netflix original movies with caution, especially based on true story movies, but this film completely blew away my expectations. It’s the kind of movie that draws tears in one moment and elicits a nostalgic smile the next. If you’ve ever had a loved one whose cooking felt like a love language, Nonnas will hit you hard.

At its heart, Nonnas tells the story of Joe, a man raised in the kitchen by the women who shaped his life: his nonna and his mother. After both of them pass away, he’s left not only with grief but with a powerful desire to do something that honors their legacy. With the inheritance his mother left behind, Joe decides to follow his heart and open a restaurant, one where the chefs are all nonnas from different backgrounds and cultures.

Turning this heartwarming dream into a reality proves to be more complicated than expected. From financial struggles to interpersonal conflicts and self-doubt, Joe’s journey is anything but easy.

What makes Nonnas so special is how effortlessly it balances emotion and storytelling. This is a film that knows exactly how to handle its tone. It doesn’t shove the sentimentality down your throat, but instead lets it unfold naturally through the characters and their experiences. The emotional arc flows with care, moving gracefully from grief and frustration to hope, joy, and pride. The story is grounded in real, lived-in emotions. It’s not flashy, and that’s what makes it so effective.

You feel for Joe from the very beginning, and as each nonna is introduced, you start to care deeply for them too. Their individual backstories, each with its own hardships, triumphs, and rich cultural flavour, are woven into the film with skill and tenderness. It’s a celebration of heritage, perseverance, and the universal power of food to connect us.

Vince Vaughn gives one of the most grounded and compelling performances of his career as Joe. Known for his comedic chops, Vaughn taps into a different register here. He plays Joe with the perfect mix of vulnerability, charm, and quiet strength. Whether he’s dealing with the chaos of starting a restaurant, trying to maintain his day job, or reflecting on the legacy of his mother, Vaughn gives the character a lived-in authenticity that anchors the entire movie.

He brings warmth and charisma to every scene, particularly when interacting with the cast of nonnas, each of whom brings their own unique energy to the screen. Watching him juggle the emotional and logistical challenges of the restaurant feels real and earned.

Linda Cardellini is also excellent as Olivia, a love interest who adds depth to the story without ever taking the spotlight away from Joe’s personal journey. Their romance is sweet and understated, adding softness and support to the film without overshadowing its central message. Cardellini’s performance brings a steady emotional counterbalance to Vaughn’s, and their chemistry feels genuine.

One of the film’s great strengths is its ability to dwell in the struggles as much as it does in the successes. Too often, feel-good movies rush to the happy ending without earning it. Nonnas takes its time. The restaurant doesn’t take off right away. There are setbacks, failures, and even moments of doubt where Joe considers giving up.

But it’s precisely these struggles that give the film its emotional weight. When things finally start to come together, when the community begins to respond, when the food starts bringing people together, the payoff feels completely earned. The movie understands that the magic of success lies in the journey, not just the destination.

The pacing in the first half is deliberate, but it’s laying the groundwork for what comes later. Each nonna is given enough backstory to establish their place in the ensemble and reinforce the film’s broader themes. The restaurant becomes a symbol of unity, with women from vastly different backgrounds sharing one kitchen and one mission.

These scenes are some of the most joyful and poignant in the entire film. Watching these grandmothers cook, bond, bicker, and support each other feels like witnessing real life unfold on screen. The kitchen scenes, especially the early ones when the nonnas are first trying to prove themselves, are bursting with humor and heart.

There’s also a clear message about what truly matters: family, community, and remembering where you come from. Nonnas is not just about honouring one’s heritage, it’s about building something new out of love and memory. It’s a story that manages to be inspiring without being preachy. It celebrates the little things: a shared meal, a passed-down recipe, a smile across a table. And it never feels forced. The film’s emotional sincerity is perhaps its greatest achievement.

If I ever find myself in Staten Island, there is no doubt I’ll be making a stop at Enoteca Maria, the real-life restaurant that inspired the story. Nonnas is more than just a movie, it’s an experience, one that makes you think of the people who fed you, cared for you, and shaped you into who you are.

If you had someone in your life who made you a meal when you needed it most, this film is going to speak directly to your soul. It’s sweet, funny, emotional, and above all, real. For those who appreciate food, family, and a great underdog story told with heart, Nonnas is must watch TV.