Typically a film does not simply inform a terrific story—it wraps you up in it and leaves you heat and fuzzy when it is over. That is what we name a feel-good film. This yr, Vince Vaughn starred in a single, and the story of how this restaurant occurred in actual life, and the person behind it, is one I will not quickly neglect.
Nonnas, a brand new film on the 2025 Netflix schedule, follows a person who honors his mom’s reminiscence by opening a restaurant operated by nonnas—Italian grandmothers—whipping up home-cooked meals. It is a true story, and in an interview with Vaughn concerning the movie, he described how he met the true gentleman whose life impressed the film and the way the restaurant’s success has expanded over time:
That was a terrific expertise, and I used to be actually impressed with Joe. He began the idea with nonnas, the place he would rent Italian grandmothers to come back and prepare dinner their household recipes and it was a extremely a terrific expertise, a household expertise and the celebration of those ladies. After which he expanded it to nonnas of the world, the place he began having completely different grandmothers from completely different cultures prepare dinner their meals.
The restaurant that Vaughn references is similar one featured within the movie, Enoteca Maria, which remains to be open on Staten Island immediately. It’s intending to remain the one one, too, as Vaughn stated the proprietor is just not trying to increase and desires to “create a connection” with patrons. That was one thing the film mirrored too, because the actor advised me:
He was not as targeted or excited about monetizing it as a lot as he was extra enthusiastic about new concepts or different issues he needed to do. So like all chef he is extra targeted on creating an expertise, creating a sense, making a connection than he was as a enterprise particular person. However he was actually pushed just like the film, to create an environment the place meals is on the heart of it, however an expertise and a way of group is an enormous a part of it as effectively.
Listening to Vince Vaughn speak about his expertise with the real-life Joe (named Joe Scaravella) will solely make you’re keen on the film extra, as a result of you possibly can inform how a lot dedication and love was poured into it. There are many nice feel-good TV exhibits and movies on the market that you might watch – some you possibly can most likely even try with a Netflix subscription. Nevertheless, I’d personally say Nonnas is probably the most joyous movie of 2025 thus far.
The truth that the movie relies on a real story, and it’s nonetheless open to at the present time, makes this film even higher, as a result of it’s all concerning the sense of group. As somebody who loves meals as a side-passion of hers – actually any cooking present I’ll at all times try – Nonnas is a foodie’s paradise. It’ll provide the similar vibes as watching Chef for the primary time. However whilst you would possibly come there for the pretty-looking and scrumptious meals, you keep for the soul of the movie.
And that’s actually what culinary arts is all about on the finish of the day, uniting underneath a terrific expertise and a few good meals. Should you haven’t had the prospect to take a look at Nonnas, I’d totally counsel it.