Somewhere in Queens

When I saw the cast and that it would be Romano's first time directing, I was curious to check out Somewhere in Queens. There seems to be some discontent amongst some viewers regarding tha description and the outcome. The marketing says both comedy and drama. While I don't think that was completely correct, I don't quite think it was completely wrong either. The word comedy is kind of loaded and creates expectations of laughs and potential hilarity. Somewhere in Queens is clear with its drama but I consider it more humorous, which to me suggests something more subtle, like a chuckle here or there, or you think to yourself 'that was kind of funny' but not really any out-loud laughter. That is what Somewhere in Queens gives the viewer, and I think it did both drama and humor fairly well. Along with a dose of sentiment, it all works and I think worth checking out.

A little bit of everything, happy sad glad mad. Emotional for me ... a few tears, a lot of thought provoking and family dynamics, and in the end LOVE. Ray Romano and Laurie Metcalf played roles different from their usual. Yes Ray had his comedy show but this was different for me. He showed a different side that took me by surprise. They were very authentic people with many complexities, It is the kind of movie I would want to watch again, to catch what I missed. To let it sink in even more the depth of it. I had read years ago that if you still think of the movie going home and thereafter, it is a story that has moved or effected you. The son and his girlfriend were very good, awkward and sensitive and sweet together. And for teenagers, very smart.

I'm glad I stumbled across this movie on Hulu and gave it a try. Seeing Ray Romano and Laurie Metcalf as the leads clinched it for me, and it's totally worth the watch.

I'm not going to give you a recap like a lot of other raters do, because, hey... The description of the movie does that.

However, I could easily imagine something like this playing out in homes around the world, where we all can (sometimes) try too hard to make something happen, even if it means stepping on some toes.

I mean, don't ALL parents want to help their children achieve greatness in one form or another?

And the wedding where it all comes out? Who hasn't had a family reunion like this at one time or another?

Romano and Metcalf were both fantastic in this and believable as a married couple. The family members, always in their business, were also just as real.

This is a really good way to spend a couple hours to escape.

Is this the most fun movie you'll ever see? No. Is it the most comedic roles for Ray Romano and Laurie Metcalf? Not even close. Somewhere in Queens is, however, a different approach to showing just how deep family love can go. Right or wrong, funny, sad...real genuine love for family is a gift, and that is the true message here.

Somewhere in Queens is well-written, well-acted, and leaves you thinking about the several storylines days after seeing it. Family dynamics are always thought provoking, yes?!

To me, Sadie Stanley (a doppelgänger to Julia Stiles in 10 Things I Hate About You) is the standout here. Forget about her character Dani being the most grounded of all in the film, I found myself looking forward to her appearing on the screen. You're never really sure what Dani is going to say, but it's always with tons of heart.

This film is worth your time.

Ever since I stopped using DVDs I know I've been missing out on independent films. The previews always turned me onto something else I'd want to see, but we don't have that so much with streaming. This is the kind of independent movie I worry about missing out on.

I'm SO glad this movie was available on Hulu. Its a film about a family, but not necessarily a family film. I cried, laughed and rooted for everyone in it. There were no bad guys in it, just people who loved each other that sometimes did the wrong thing for the right reasons.

Movies as sweet as this, without being saccharine, are few and far between. As someone who never watched his show and disappointed with his earlier movies, I actually now want to check out more Ray Romano stuff of the last 5 years or so.