June 2025

In the delightful film, "Nonnas," streaming on Netflix, a young man named Joey sets out to open a restaurant. Not just any restaurant, but an Italian restaurant, cooking the same homestyle cooking he remembers his Italian grandmother, his Nonna, cooking for him when he was a child. He’s never quite been able to duplicate her tomato sauce, her “Sunday gravy,” but he has an idea of who can. Joey recruits a group of other Italian grandmothers, the nonnas, to be the chefs for his restaurant.

"Nonnas" is a film that is funny, insightful, and heartwarming. We recommend it to you, and offer these reflections.

“Don’t let old hurts get in the way of a happy new beginning.” I no longer remember which character spoke that line, but it is just one of many pearls of wisdom found in the film, “Nonnas.”

Much of this wisdom applies especially to older adults. Early in the movie, Roberta, bored with her life in a retirement home, but reluctant to start something new, protests, “I’m 73 years old. I’m done being happy.” Joey sets out to prove her wrong.

Antonella, another of the nonnas Joey is recruiting to cook for him, is also hesitant, believing she’s too old. Her younger neighbor, Olivia, bluntly corrects her: “You got more life to live, Antonella.” Indeed she does. So do we all.

Joey and his team face many obstacles in getting his restaurant up and running. At one point it looks like they’re going to fail. That’s when one of the unlikely chefs, looking back over all their efforts, says to the others. “Now, we’re all like family. If that’s all we get out of this, I say we’re winners.”

In Galatians 6 (the epistle reading for this coming Sunday in the Revised Common Lectionary) Paul instructs us, “Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” As one commentator puts it, “The call to be out in the world with the light of Christ continues.”

No matter our age, no matter our past failings (and the characters in "Nonnas" have plenty), we are called to support and encourage one another, to bear one another’s burdens, to be friends and family to those around us. As Paul continues, “Whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all.” "Nonnas" inspires us to do just that.

--Bill

Finally! A Netflix movie I can watch, that leaves me with really good vibes! “Nonnas” is an attention-getting title that brings up precious memories of a pilgrimage to Italy and delicious dining in San Antonio’s favorite Italian restaurants.

"Nonnas" actually is one of those light-hearted movies that offers a substantive storyline based on a true story in Brooklyn, authentic scenery, and engaging characters. I can almost taste the Sunday gravy right now (you’ll get it).

The movie opens with Joey being told to “get a life” after over-grieving the loss of his nonna. As he works to restore her memory, especially in the kitchen, Joey’s best friend, Bruno asks their crowd of friends, “Joey’s a mechanic – what does he know about owning a restaurant?!” From there on the audience will know what it takes, even to duplicate the Sunday gravy recipe.

It’s rare that a popular movie can drop so much wisdom. I’ll detour from the film review to share some of the wisdom zingers:

“What is there to know? You make food. People eat food. People are happy. Food is love.”

“To forgive is divine.”

Needing a Certificate of Occupancy, a nonna knelt on the floor, prayed a blessing, and said, “Now we wait.”

“Beautiful is a feeling. It’s when you’re seen, when you feel heard; that’s when you feel strong, when you feel beautiful. Let’s celebrate beauty.” Limoncello was included in the celebration!

“Joey’s a good man. He’s not trying to take anything away. He’s trying to give back.”

About food samples for restaurant reviewers: “If they don’t come, take it to them.”

“Food is more about family – experiencing family.”

"There’s a lot of people there waiting to experience your hearts, okay?”

--Jan

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