Nonnas

I often watch a movie these days and up thinking "I wish I had those two hours back. What a waste."

This movie was just the opposite. Two hours very well spent. It has a great story that made me laugh and cry.

It has a fantastic cast. Every single one of the actors in this is stellar.

It has great music.

And it has food. Oh my goodness the food. Served family style - there are huge bowls of streaming pasta and pans of lasagne. Plates of cannoli.

The food looks so good that it made me feel faint.

Even writing this, my stomach is rumbling.

I'm not Italian but I am fond of Italian-leaning movies like Moonstruck, and I totally love the Inspector Montalbano detective series (it takes place in Sicily and is very food-forward).

I didn't know about the "sauce versus gravy" question. Hmmm.

So this movie is about love and family and grief and hope and friendship and perseverance. It is easy on the eyes - not overly directed or overwhelmingly produced. It's about growing old and staying young. And it's about food.

I recommend it. 9 stars but it probably could be 10. It's not like "Best Picture" quality but it is sweet and has heart. I have nothing bad to say about it.

'Nonnas' is a sweet film, from Stephen Chbosky, based on a true story about a small, family-style restaurant (Enoteca Maria) on Staten Island. It had small-film greatness lurking, but the script needed the touch of a great comedy writer, like James Brooks or even Terry Winter.

Winter would have felt right at home writing for Sopranos alums: Lorraine Bracco, Drea de Mateo and Michael Rispoli. Add to that Susan Sarandon and Talia Shire, along with lead Vince Vaughn, and you have a Hell of a cast and, of course, the real star is the Italian food!

So, the film is heartwarming and entertaining, but not as great as it could have been.

Who? I need to know the person so I could send a big warm thanks. Its a story so worthy to tell, it's light, it's warm and it is about family. I wish the restaurant was closer to home so I could taste the flavours of it all. I loved the nonnas, loved to see Susan Sarandon shine and loved Vince! This is a must watch movie if you ever miss home.

I miss my nonna so much and this brought tears to my eyes. Not in a sad way though, it was tears remembering all the good times we had around the beautiful and joyful table she used to make for us.

I love when people make movies to make you feel good and embraced. The world needs it! I needed it!

Thank you!!!!!

Just when I thought there was nothing that I could watch with my family made after 1990 this gem comes along.

No nudity, no sex, no "message", no politics, just a great story, well written, well paced and delivered by fine actors who it shines through loved making it. And you can tell and can feel that the laughter was created and not directed by an ensemble that bounced off each other naturally.

Since Vince Vaughn has started following his true north again he seems happier and he is a joy to watch. Who cares if any moment I expect him to say "who's the big winner Mikey?" It's him and he is marvelous.

If you haven't seen "Bad Monkey" then he is himself there too and he again brings joy, wit, pathos and perfect comedic timing. Thank you Vince because you are the big winner.

A bit romance, some humor, fun Italian-family references. Just don't expect much; it comes across as light as a Hallmark movie.

Susan Sarandon stands out, well above the Star, Vince Vaughan. Nice to see Brenda Vaccaro, Lorraine Bracco, and Talia Shire. But I just expected more meat to the story.

I think the days of I'll-buy-a-restaurant movies is over. The Bear shows the real grit. That theme here is a bit glossy. I also love a movie that has strong pivot points, a must according to Syd Field's instruction. I just didn't see any of the fun surprises here. The pitfalls and successes were pretty easy to spot coming around the corner.