Somewhere in Queens (2023)
93%RT Audience Score: 95%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Somewhere in Queens, Ray Romano’s directorial debut, is a heartwarming and humorous exploration of family dynamics and the search for identity. While some critics may dismiss it as unremarkable or overly reliant on Romano’s everyman charm, the film’s honest and relatable portrayal of the Russo family’s struggles with communication and self-discovery is a refreshing departure from Hollywood’s glossy depictions of family life. Romano’s direction is understated yet effective, allowing the talented cast to shine in both comedic and dramatic moments. Somewhere in Queens may not reinvent the wheel, but it’s a delightful ride nonetheless.
Somewhere in Queens is like a warm hug from your favorite uncle, if your favorite uncle happens to be Ray Romano. The film has its serious moments, but it’s the hilarious dialogue and slapstick humor that really steal the show. Romano’s everyman charm shines through in his directorial debut, and the story of fathers and sons and the question of legacy is both beautiful and familiar. Sure, it may not be breaking any new ground, but sometimes you just want to sit back, relax, and enjoy a good old-fashioned family sitcom. And with Romano at the helm, you know you’re in good hands.
Production Company(ies)
Distributor
Lionsgate / Roadside Attractions
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
New York, New York, United States; White Plains, New York, United States
MPAA / Certificate
R
Year of Release
2023
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 47m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Apr 21, 2023 Limited
Genre(s)
Comedy/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Ray Romano, Laurie Metcalf, Tony Lo Bianco, Sebastian Maniscalco, Jennifer Esposito, Jacob Ward, directed by Ray Romano, written by Ray Romano, Mark Stegemann, comedy, drama, R rating, Lionsgate / Roadside Attractions, Bona Fide Productions, Albert Berger, Ron Yerxa, Mark Stegemann, reviewed by Richard Roeper, Michael O’Sullivan, Maureen Lee Lenker, Matt Zoller Seitz, Josh Kupecki, Gary Goldstein, Alan French, Patrick McDonald, Greg Cwik, Rob Thomas, Tim Appelo, box office performance, budget, family, basketball, Italian-American, Queens, New York, high school, college, heartbreak, legacy, construction business, father-son relationship, coming of age
Worldwide gross: $1,634,424
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: $1,634,424
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $5,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $5,000,000
Production budget ranking: 1,858
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $2,692,500
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Laurie Metcalf – Angela Russo
Tony Lo Bianco – Dominic ‘Pop’ Russo
Sebastian Maniscalco – Frank Russo
Jennifer Esposito – Self
Albert Berger – Producer
Ron Yerxa – Producer
Mark Stegemann – Writer, Producer
Ray Romano – Writer, Director, Producer
Bona Fide Productions – Production Company
Lionsgate / Roadside Attractions – Distributor
Director(s)
Ray Romano
Writer(s)
Ray Romano, Mark Stegemann
Producer(s)
Albert Berger, Ron Yerxa, Ray Romano, Mark Stegemann
Film Festivals
Tribeca
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (38) | Top Critics (14) | Fresh (34) | Rotten (4)
Beyond the often hilarious dialogue and some slapstick humor, when Somewhere in Queens gets into serious territory.
April 21, 2023 | Rating: 3.5/4
Richard Roeper
Chicago Sun-Times
TOP CRITIC
The filmmakers know what we (and the story) need: something honest, something recognizable, something real.
April 21, 2023 | Rating: 3/4
Michael O’Sullivan
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
It’s quiet and charming and has some beautiful, if also familiar things to say about fathers and sons, and the question of legacy.
April 21, 2023 | Rating: B
Maureen Lee Lenker
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
[Somewhere in Queens] misunderstands its own strengths and underestimates the audience’s willingness to go into unexpected places if a famous actor like Ray Romano is there to hold their hands.
April 21, 2023 | Rating: 2/4
Matt Zoller Seitz
RogerEbert.com
TOP CRITIC
Somewhere in Queens is alloyed family sitcom nostalgia sourced from stronger materials.
April 20, 2023 | Rating: 2.5/5
Josh Kupecki
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
This goodhearted if at times misguided version may suffice for its often amusing and touching moments and as a reminder of Romano’s everyman skill in front of a camera.
April 20, 2023
Gary Goldstein
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
Romano’s directorial debut, “Somewhere in Queens,” plays on his strengths as a performer and storyteller. Yet his approach to complicated subject matter helps a fairly straightforward indie drama crackle to life.
April 22, 2023 | Rating: 7/10
Alan French
Sunshine State Cineplex
This film is about being unsure … the main Russo family deftly practices this form of non-communication. And it’s about being scared, as each character has to break through some barrier to understand their truth. Ray Romano aptly writes what he knows.
April 22, 2023 | Rating: 4/5
Patrick McDonald
HollywoodChicago.com
Following in those footsteps, Somewhere in Queens, which Romano co-wrote, directed, and in which he stars, is likewise wholly unremarkable, a true case of writing what you know, playing it safe (or, perhaps, he’s an auteur?).
April 21, 2023
Greg Cwik
In Review Online
With its emphasis on feeling and authenticity, ”Somewhere in Queens” is a feel-good comedy-drama that isn’t afraid to feel bad once in a while.
April 21, 2023 | Rating: 3/4
Rob Thomas
Capital Times (Madison, WI)
It’s like a funny (but deeper and more dramatic) takeoff on Everybody Loves Raymond.
April 21, 2023 | Rating: 5/5
Tim Appelo
AARP Movies for Grownups
Ray Romano’s feature directorial debut, “Somewhere in Queens,” is firmly in his comfort zone. For those who loved the comedic actor’s brand of “grounded absurdity” from “Everybody Loves Raymond,” you’ll be treated to more of the same, just longer.
April 21, 2023 | Rating: 6/10
Will Mavity
Next Best Picture…
Plot
Leo Russo, a simple man living in Queens, goes to unexpected lengths to keep his son on a new path after he gets a surprising opportunity to play basketball in college in Somewhere in Queens.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels doesn’t provide any goofy or funny comments about the film Somewhere in Queens, but it does mention that Ray Romano, who stars in and directs the film, is known for his brand of “grounded absurdity” from his previous show Everybody Loves Raymond.
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