‘Nonnas’ Review: Vince Vaughn And All-Star Grandmother Cast In Netflix’s Heartfelt Foodie Comedy

Just in time for Mother’s Day, Netflix serves up the perfect cinematic recipe for moms (and their devoted sons) with Nonnas.

Vince Vaughn in 'Nonnas', Netflix

The title is Italian for grandmothers, and this warm, old-fashioned feel-good comedy in the Moonlight tradition and based on true events is tailor-made for its Mother’s Day weekend debut. Writer Liz Maccie provides some irresistible material for her real-life husband, director Stephen Chbosky, that is guaranteed to touch the heart and make no apologies for doing so. It also will make you very hungry.

A well-cast Vince Vaughn, miles away from his Swingers and Wedding Crashers past, plays the real-life dreamer Jody Scaravella (who goes by Joe or Joey), born and living in Brooklyn, who works for the MTA and always has been a loving son to his mom. When she dies, he is lost — until coming up with a plan to honor her and her mother, who is of course his nonna, one he remembers fondly from the smell of whatever these two were cooking up in the kitchen. He comes upon the idea to open his own Italian restaurant, where actual nonnas would be the chefs.