Film Review: SOMEWHERE IN QUEENS

Leo and Angela are not happy......

Fans of Ray Romano's popular sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond may be surprised to see him so unloved by most of his family in this sometimes depressing but still endearing movie. Written and directed by Romano, this bittersweet tale of young love and family angst within a boisterous Italian family is The Sopranos but without all the murders. Instead there are seemingly endless over-the-top celebrations for anniversaries, birthdays, christenings and Sweet 16 parties, all held at the same tacky Queens, New York party venue.

Central to all this is Leo Russo (Romano), a nebbishy loser who works for his stern father's contracting business alongside his slick, obnoxious brother Frank (Sebastian Maniscalco). Romano shows his depth as a serious actor, as does Laurie Metcalf as his wife Angela, a tough-as-nails Italian momma with a soft center she rarely exposes. But it seeps out in one outstanding scene where she breaks down and admits to Leo her fear that the cancer she has successfully overcome might return. (Have tissues handy.)

Everyday life is dreary and uneventful for Leo and Angela, except for parenting their slightly autistic teenage son Matthew (Jacob Ward) whose shaky self-confidence soars on the basketball court. With the possibility of a full sports scholarship to a decent college in the offing, Leo goes to a dangerous extreme to ensure that Matthew qualifies. When his ruse is uncovered all hell breaks loose, right in the middle of somebody's anniversary party. Cake is thrown, there's lots of yelling and some hitting, but the deejay plays on. 

It's all a bit of a stretch but the message is real: parents will do anything for their kids to be happy.