Tribeca Review: Ray Romano Directs, Writes and Stars in ‘Somewhere In Queens’ with Laurie Metcalf

Although Ray Romano wrote a lot, including the series he created. men of a certain age, Star (with the most famous Emmy-winning sitcom Everyone loves Raymond! Of course, which contains a lot of material from his own life and family experiences) is now brought to the big screen with perhaps his most ambitious project. Film, Somewhere in Queens His comedy and drama takes him from a very powerful but loved and well-known Italian-American family.

Romano again borrowed from his own life, in this case from his wife’s family, especially for the screenplay he wrote with Mark Stegman. This time around, not only is he writing, but director, producer, and actor Leo Rousseau is married to Angela (Lori Metcalfe) and fathers a son, “Sticks” (Jacob Ward), whose talent for high school rings makes his class proud. father. It’s a surprise, especially when his son is given an unexpected chance to play in college on a scholarship, as he plans to miss college and go directly into the family construction business run by Leo’s father (Tony Lo Bianco) and the family construction business where his brother (Sebastián Maniscalco) works. ) works. The trouble begins when Styx’s inspirational girlfriend (Sadie Stanley) suddenly stops him, taking this behavior so seriously that it ruins his basketball plans and makes Leo determined to get back on track. This does not lead to the best decisions and many family quarrels.

Romano made the sometimes very heavy film that straddles a fine line between comedy and drama, which will premiere tonight at the Tribeca Film Festival. He reveals his directing tricks and doesn’t let it get out of control as soon as Leo’s plans start popping up in his face. Just making a movie is hard enough, but Romano early on got himself into one of the toughest roles as a man who loved his family but lost almost everything. Like many of her previous works, this movie about the Queens family (and Romano) delivers some hilarious stuff, but it’s authentic, with its portrayal of a loud and energetic Italian-American family who are sometimes very nervous about each other. .the other. They are loud and affectionate and, believe it or not, they talk at dinner. That way the Russians feel comfortable the old-fashioned way and Romano really knows the area.

He was lucky to get such a talented actor together. Metcalfe (who takes Classical The last line of the movie) can’t get a wrong note, even when things get too dramatic. Angela is a loving mother who binds them together even when her husband is on the brink of disaster, worried for her future and the future of her family. Ward is confident and wonderful as a child who is somewhat fragile and insecure about wanting what his father insists is good for him. Lo Bianco and Maniscalco are doing well alongside less defined roles and are still delivering on their commitment. Stanley as the girlfriend is a real firearm and Jennifer Esposito makes the most of her attractive neighbor role, which can be so enticing for Leo, it’s their worst moments.

Producers are Albert Berger and Rox Irha (Little Miss Sunshine, Nebraska) with Romano and Stegman. The film is seeking distribution, and given the impressive results of Romano’s directorial debut, I can say that finding a suitable location for it will not be a problem.