I always love films that focus on real life, especially when it’s something obscure or unbelievable. The latest film Nonnas which is based on the real-life restaurant Enoteca Maria stars Vince Vaughn, Lorraine Bracco, Susan Sarandon, Talia Shire, Brenda Vaccaro, Joe Manganiello, and Drea  de Matteo from The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Wonder director Stephen Chbosky. Could this film have all the right ingredients to do this restaurant’s legacy proud, or will it fail to serve up success?

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Nonnas follows a man who risks everything after losing his beloved mother, to honor her by opening an Italian restaurant with actual grandmothers as the chefs. If you don’t know the history of this restaurant then keep it that way so that the film’s story can reveal the truth of it all. Then of course do yourself justice to learn more later.

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I was looking forward to this film as I love the cast and knowing about this establishment made it even more appealing. I have to admit I was a bit concerned at first as I just could not get myself invested in the film initially. There wasn’t anything wrong with it, but for whatever reason it just wasn’t engaging me to get me interested in where the story is heading. Thankfully that quickly changes once he starts to gather the nonnas and build the restaurant.

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The real magic to this film is the banter and building relationship of the four ladies. Each of them brings something special to their role whether it be grumpiness, history or frustration they all bring so much love for their families and food. It is no wonder that the actual restaurant is so successful and these ladies are smashing this passion through the screen. The ongoing fighting brings some funny moments but also forces them into conversations that open their hearts up to each other on a deeper level and in turn find passion for one another as well.

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