Nonnas

Movie Review

For Joe Scaravella, food means family.

Growing up in an Italian family in Brooklyn, the feasts that his family and friends would prepare—and share—were more than just meals. They were expressions of love. Of heritage.

And no one’s food had a greater impact on Joe than that of his mother and nonna (an Italian term for “grandmother”). As a boy, he would marvel as his nonna made her famous Sunday gravy. And when he would taste it—perfetto! Nothing felt more like home.

Joe’s childhood was a time of full houses, full hearts and (of course) full stomachs.

But 40 years later, things have changed.

Joe’s mother just passed away after a long illness. He lost his nonna some time before that. He has no wife, no children with which to share a family meal. His home, once so full, now feels very empty.

His lifelong friend, Bruno, is worried about him. He encourages Joe to do something for himself with the money his mother left him. It doesn’t take long for Joe to figure out what that might be.

He’s going to open a restaurant, in honor of his mother and his nonna.

Bruno is doubtful. Restaurants are risky ventures, and Joe doesn’t know the first thing about starting, let alone operating, one. And Joe is no professional cook. Who’s he going to hire as his chefs?

That’s easy, Joe says, he knows exactly who he wants to cook at his restaurant: Nonnas. Italian grandmothers.

They’ll bring the best of their own family recipes to make at the restaurant. The community can gather to enjoy their heartfelt meals. And, ultimately, Joe hopes, food will mean family again.