If you’re looking for a feel-good Netflix film, this is the one to watch

While there never seems to be a shortage of streaming platforms, there is often a shortage of feel-good movies. Thankfully, Netflix has given us one of the best feel-good movies in a long time: Nonnas.

That’s not to say there aren’t some fantastic, recently released movies on the platform to check out, but to me, this is the film that I didn’t realize I needed to return to, because the smile that lit up my face when I began watching it was unlike any other.

Nonnas is as sweet as it is funny

If you’re wondering what Nonnas is, let me give you my simplest explanation. Nonnas is a comedy that follows a man who attempts to open a restaurant on Staten Island in honor of his late mother. Instead of employing chefs, he employs nonnas, Italian grandmothers who really know how to cook and love what they do.

I originally covered Nonnas last year because, as I’m sure you’ll come to learn, I love food and the Italian culture thanks to my wonderful fiancé, so I was fully locked in. But with the constant drive of endless Netflix content that always seems to hit our doors, it’s sometimes hard to remember the good movies and shows of the past that we’ve all moved on from.

So, one day, I decided to really dig deep into some old movies that I loved because it was just one of those days, you know? And Nonnas just happened to be my pick. And truly, this film is the feel-good experience that everyone needs to have at least once in their life.

What truly makes this movie such a feel-good film is that it doesn’t try to lure you into long conversations about the themes of the world or the state of who we are or any other philosophical stuff that movies sometimes try to do. This film is as simple as its name. It's about good food and how food, itself, brings together family and loved ones.

There’s also something to be said for the casting, as well. Vince Vaughn shines as Joe Scaravella, but the rest of the cast that they assembled for all of this — Lorraine Bracco, Susan Sarandon, Joe Manganiello, and more — really embrace that familial spirit.

To me, watching this group of loved ones come together to build something so beautiful to honor someone is the type of love I think we are all searching for. What makes this story even better is that this is based on a real story.

Entoca Maria is a legit restaurant on Staten Island that doesn’t just employ nonnas, but grandmas from all over the world, from all different kinds of cultures, to share their food. And that is just utterly beautiful.

The food is also beautiful to look at

Something else that I think is worth mentioning is that this movie will make you so hungry, but in the best way. It’s like a foodie’s best daydream but also a worst nightmare because all you’ll want to do is make the food after, or go out to a nice Italian restaurant and have some there.

At the end of the day, isn’t that what’s beautiful about this? That we can watch a film and feel so good about it that we want to go out and experience the same delicious cuisine the characters did? That we want to gather with our family and have a nice dinner? Or maybe cook with your significant other just for the fun of it?

I don’t know, that sounds pretty awesome to me.

To be honest, this movie has become one of those films that has been a huge highlight for me. I think it’s a wholesome movie that everyone deserves to watch at least once — if not just for the food that you get to salivate over.

And if nothing else, you also get an incredible story out of it that shows the power of human perseverance and what you can really do if you have the support of your family and your friends with you. In this day and age when there’s so much turmoil in the world, and sometimes it feels like it may never end, that movies like this are so, so needed.

They aren’t trying to be flashy like most action films. Or to be philosophical. They are there to make you feel good. And Nonnas will forever be that girl for me.

If you haven’t checked out Nonnas on Netflix, be sure to watch it now!

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