61
Metascore
16 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 80The Hollywood ReporterSheri LindenThe Hollywood ReporterSheri LindenAs its title suggests, the movie embraces generic types, but smart writing, unforced direction and a superb cast give the sentimental-but-not-gushy comic drama the messy specifics and narrative friction to lift it well beyond been-there-done-that.
- 80VarietyMichael NordineVarietyMichael NordineSomewhere in Queens is a low-stakes slice of life for much of its runtime, with most of the actual conflict stemming from a questionable decision Leo makes to ensure his son’s success. That doesn’t necessarily make it feel slight, however, as the film is such an affectionate love letter to the Italian American families who populate the eponymous borough that you don’t mind simply sharing the dinner table with them.
- 75Chicago Sun-TimesRichard RoeperChicago Sun-TimesRichard RoeperBeyond the often hilarious dialogue and some slapstick humor, when Somewhere in Queens gets into serious territory, including Leo possibly having a fling with an attractive widow (Jennifer Esposito), the material is handled deftly and with intelligence and care.
- 75Washington PostMichael O'SullivanWashington PostMichael O'SullivanThe love language of the Russo family is shouting — one of several cliches deployed here — but Romano and his co-writer, Mark Stegemann, deftly deflate and dodge most other stereotypes, creating a funny and touching father-and-son tale about aspiration and finding your own path.
- 67IndieWireDavid EhrlichIndieWireDavid EhrlichLiberated from the bumper lanes that are built into the sitcom format — from the oppressiveness of canned laughter, throwaway B-plots, and the steady drumbeat of commercial breaks — Romano’s latest semi-autobiographical charmer is free to tell a more nuanced story within his favorite milieu, and it often does so with enough grace and sensitivity to suggest that Romano might be even better-suited to the big screen than he was to network broadcasts.
- 60Screen DailyTim GriersonScreen DailyTim GriersonThe film takes commendable tonal chances, but too easily succumbs to easy jokes and unconvincing plot twists.
- 58The PlaylistJason BaileyThe PlaylistJason BaileyYou can see the conflicts and dramatic beats coming from a mile away, and the corniness of the ending is absolutely immeasurable. It’s an inoffensive and even likable picture, but not a particularly compelling one.
- 50Slant MagazineChris BarsantiSlant MagazineChris BarsantiMany of the character actors occasionally elevate the film above some of the more clichéd family humor.
- 50Austin ChronicleJosh KupeckiAustin ChronicleJosh KupeckiCompetent and unassuming, mildly problematic but ultimately harmless, Somewhere in Queens is alloyed family sitcom nostalgia sourced from stronger materials.
- 50The New York TimesGlenn KennyThe New York TimesGlenn KennyHere, Romano sticks to the outer-borough Italian American milieu of his series. The results are mixed.