It was not a Netflix& chill day. I watched this movie when I felt a little down, and overall was not a good day. This movie was so optimistic and just threw me into a pool of positive thinking. Not many films can do that.
In this article, I simply want to share what I love about this movie, and hopefully, I can convince you to watch this movie too.
Note: This is not a movie review. Just my heartfelt observation:)
Just keep moving
The movie starts with the protagonist's (Joey) mom passing away, leaving him with recipes for her cooking. It is shown in the flashbacks montages that he has always seen his grandmother and mother cooking delicious food. He was fond of their cooking. He starts cooking their recipes based on what he remembers. He randomly decided to open an Italian restaurant to keep them alive through their recipes. He decides to follow his passion even though of other people’s opinions. He channels his grief into something, and it is also a reminder that, whether it's good or bad, you can always move forward. ( Grief looks different for everyone; it is okay to take time)
Family is what you create
Joey begins his journey with the best of intentions, eventually hiring four elderly women as chefs. Though it takes some convincing. Each woman comes from a different background with their own unique personality. Their relationship was rocky initially. But as time passes, they learn to understand each other and form a beautiful bond. I need to mention that casting Susan Sarandon as a beautiful and confident hairdresser was a great choice.
For Joey, who had just lost his mother, these women became more than employees. They became motherly figures. Watching that connection grow reminded me of something important: if it’s not the family you’re born into, it can be the family you create.
Keep your heritage alive
Have you ever wondered why antiques hold such high value? Because it has seen many decades and centuries, it holds memories. Heritage, language and traditions work in the same way. Whenever I have a cold, my grandmother would randomly pluck some leaves from her garden and ask me to eat them. I used to find that odd, but the surprise was that it cured the cold. Hence, I thought it was important to pass on the wisdom of our ancestors.
Similarly, in this movie, he hires some Italian grandmas as chefs for his restaurants so that they can share their heritage food, and people get to eat a heartfelt meal that resembles their home cooking. This is such a soulful idea.
As a cherry on the cake, there is a real-life restaurant in Italy. And this movie is based on the story of Joe Scaravella, who runs a restaurant where grandmothers work as chefs. The movies ended with information about the restaurants. Though I felt disappointed that I am living on the other side of the world from this restaurant, I was fascinated that this concept actually worked, and it is Nonnas from all over the world who are working in this restaurant.
Don't miss watching this movie in your free time; if you are even luckier, visit the Enoteca Maria restaurant.
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