SOMEWHERE IN QUEENS – Review by T. J. Callahan
Somewhere in Queens: It’s good to be the king.
Leo and Angela live a blue collar life
As husband and wife
Who had their share of pain and strife
But also a bond so thick
You could only cut it with a knife.
Leo and Angela had an only son
Who had talent on the basketball court,
But he was in love with a girl
More than the sport.
So when he received a college scholarship
To go play ball.
Leo went to distorted lengths to support.
The Russo’s could be any family in any city. They just happen to be Somewhere in Queens. Ray Romano wrote, directed and stars as Leo in this relatable dramady where you see your friends, your family and yourself in every scene.
Somewhere in Queens is helicopter parenting gone wild. But it’s also about a man who feels unseen and is trying to hang on to the one thing that made him standout, even if it is for selfish reasons. It’s about a mom who is facing her own mortality and doesn’t want to lose time with her loved ones. And it’s about a boy trying to become a man.
Somewhere in Queens reminds me of a crazy comedy Adam Sandler may have made, but Romano goes for the heart more than the laugh. His characters grow and learn from each other. He writes from what he knows…a close knit, loud Italian family. He also knows how to round out a supporting cast with Sebastian Maniscalco, Tony Lo Bianco and scene stealer Laurie Metcalf.
In this, his directorial debut, most fans will still love Raymond. Somewhere in Queens gets a 7. My husband Ricky gives it two 👀 open.
