It’s Time for Ray Romano’s Directorial Debut with “Somewhere In Queens”

Ray Romano is back on the big screen with his newest slice-of-life dramedy film, “Somewhere in Queens.” Romano is getting personal with this film since he drew inspiration from his upbringing and real-life relationships. 

The film stars Ray Romano and Laurie Metcalf, who play Leo and Angela Russo, Italian Americans living a modest life in Queens, New York. Their son, Sticks, played by Jacob Ward, gets a shot at playing college basketball. Leo has been working in the family construction business and only wants the best for his son. He wants Sticks to take advantage of this opportunity and pursue a life he never had. 

Sticks has some setbacks at playing college basketball which complicates the father and son dynamic. Leo contemplates whether to cheer on his son or try to live his dreams through Sticks. 

The father and son relationship is inspired by Romano’s relationship with his son, Joseph. Joseph was also a high school basketball star. 

“I used to love going to the games, and I would live vicariously through him with all the excitement,” Romano said in an interview with People. When his son didn’t continue his basketball career in college Romano struggled as a father because he loved being the dad the star player on the team.

Reflecting on these real life experiences, Romano directed and co-wrote the movie “Somewhere in Queens”. 

“My thought was, what if this (movie) was about a guy who, that’s all he had — he felt invisible in his real life and the only time he felt any kind of purpose or attention was through his son and the basketball, and it was ending? And that was the jumping-off point of the story”, he said.

Themes found in this movie are relatable for Italian Americans. The goal of the film is to resonate with families of all backgrounds, just like the sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond”.

“Somewhere in Queens” comes out in theaters on April 21, 2023.