Sommerleigh Pollonais, Senior Writer
Plot: An American mom inherits her grandfather’s mafia empire in Italy. Guided by the firm’s consigliere, she hilariously defies everyone’s expectations as the new head of the family business.
Mickey Blue Eyes, The Freshman, Analyze This, the list of comedies based around some unsuspecting ordinary guy (or gal) getting entangled with the mafia isn’t a short one, so the premise of Mafia Mamma is wholly unoriginal, but that doesn’t mean some of these movies aren’t genuinely funny. And luckily the film, as flawed as it is, does manage to bring the laughs here and there.
It stars Toni Collette (Hereditary, The Sixth Sense, Knives Out) as wife, mother and everyone’s doormat Kristin who travels to Italy hoping to have herself a fun holiday. All of her hopes for a vacation filled with food and hot Italian men are dashed when she finds out she’s not only the granddaughter of a mafia Don, but she has also inherited his entire business after his untimely demise.
I won’t pretend Mafia Mamma is a great comedy but it was surprisingly funnier than I expected it to be. Toni Collette is a phenomenal actress and a big part of why this movie wasn’t completely forgettable. A role such as this one didn’t require much investment, but Collette is obviously having fun with it and her chemistry with Monica Bellucci (The Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions, Shoot ‘Em Up) who plays her lieutenant Bianca was steamier than anything else found here. Kudos as well to Sophia Nomvete who plays Kristin’s best friend Jenny; it was another generic role we’ve seen dozens of times in these types of films yet Nomvete was a delight every time she popped up on screen.
I actually found myself laughing out loud numerous times here even as I knew what was going to happen beat for beat. That said, I’m not sure how many Italians will find this movie enjoyable as it does lean into certain stereotypes that may be considered offensive. Most of the additional characters come and go without leaving a mark and at the same time there’s a lightheartedness to the entire thing that just screams “none of this is meant to be taken seriously”.
It’s no Oscar (one of Stallone’s best if you ask me) but if you’re in the mood for a few laughs and a story that requires no cerebral energy, Mafia Mamma has got you covered.
Sommer’s Score: 6 out of 10
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Sommerleigh of the House Pollonais. First of Her Name. Sushi Lover, Queen of Horror Movies, Comic Books and Binge Watching Netflix. Mother of two beautiful black cats named Vader and Kylo. I think eating Popcorn at the movies should be mandatory, PS4 makes the best games ever, and I’ll be talking about movies until the zombie apocalypse comes.
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