Vince Vaughn has teamed up with a renowned quartet of veteran actresses for a new comedy that highlights the Italian American experience, focusing on food, family, and tradition. The 55-year-old actor stars alongside Lorraine Bracco, 70; Talia Shire, 79; and Susan Sarandon, 78, in the Netflix film “Nonnas,” which translates to “grandmother” in Italian. The story, based on true events, follows Jody “Joe” Scalavera (played by Vaughn), who decides to honor his late mother Maria by opening an Italian restaurant called Enoteca Maria after her passing.
Instead of hiring a professional chef, Joe enlists the help of four Italian grandmothers—Roberta (Bracco), Teresa (Shire), Gia (Sarandon), and Antonella (Vaccaro)—who each bring their own traditional cooking methods and recipes to the restaurant. Through this journey, Joe starts to heal from the grief of losing his mother, forming deep connections with the Nonne and discovering a renewed sense of purpose.
Vaughn shared with Entertainment Weekly in April that he was moved by the themes of food and family in the film, stating, “The idea is that love and culture is passed down through food and gatherings, and those gifts always stay with us.”
In a conversation with Screen Rant, Vaughn reflected on how the film resonates with his character’s journey and emphasizes the importance of childhood memories during family gatherings. “I think one of the powerful things about this film is that it captures those moments from a child’s perspective and how they shape your understanding of life,” he explained.
Vaughn has personal ties to the story—growing up with his grandmother, he felt a connection to the concept of creating a restaurant where her traditional recipes could continue to thrive. “Joe created a place where his Italian grandmother became a chef and made recipes that meant family, a place to celebrate life,” he mentioned.
As he navigates his character’s grief, Vaughn poses questions about loss, connection, and the future. “People seek love and connection in their lives—that’s what we all cherish,” he noted.
The film “Nonnas” is directed by Stephen Chbosky, known for “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” Chbosky complimented the actresses, acknowledging that casting legends like Bracco, Shire, Sarandon, and Vaccaro was a remarkable experience, something he humbly described as a “please, god?” moment when they accepted their roles.
While the film casts some well-known figures from the Italian-American entertainment community, it also showcases the talent of newer stars like Joe Manganiello. He expressed admiration for his co-stars, calling them “a queue of incredible Italian-American actresses” and enjoyed exchanging stories about their iconic roles.
Vaughn personalizes the film further, recalling how his mother reacted positively to the film. “I could share this movie with her, and she loved it,” he said, emphasizing the film’s tribute to the love and heritage passed down from mothers and grandmothers.
“Nonnas” debuted on Netflix on Friday.
