Somewhere in Queens (2022) is a charming and emotionally resonant comedy-drama that marks the directorial debut of actor Ray Romano, who also co-wrote the screenplay and stars in the lead role. Blending humor with heart, the film delivers an authentic portrait of a working-class Italian-American family navigating love, expectations, and personal growth in the borough of Queens, New York.
Romano plays Leo Russo, a devoted husband and father who works in the family construction business and lives a modest, routine life surrounded by a boisterous extended family. His pride and joy is his shy teenage son “Sticks” (Jacob Ward), whose unexpected basketball talent becomes a rare opportunity for the family to dream beyond their neighborhood life. When a chance for a college scholarship arises, Leo—eager to see his son succeed—takes matters into his own hands, making choices that test the limits of love, loyalty, and control.
As Leo’s plans begin to unravel, Somewhere in Queens explores the delicate balance between supporting loved ones and letting them find their own way. With grounded performances by a strong ensemble cast—including Laurie Metcalf as Leo’s sharp and loving wife—this coming-of-age story is also a tale of midlife self-discovery and the unspoken emotional currents that run through close-knit families.
Witty, heartfelt, and deeply relatable, Somewhere in Queens captures the unique texture of life in Queens while telling a universal story about the pursuit of dreams, the pressures of tradition, and the courage it takes to change.
