Underdog Director Romano's 'Somewhere In Queens' Is An Uneven Family Drama

Ray Romano wrote, directed and starred in the semi-autobiographical dramedy "Somewhere in Queens."
The film follows Leo Russo, an underappreciated man in his family's construction business, and explores his struggles with his wife's cancer, his relationship with his introverted son and tensions within their Italian-American community.
While the film offers an authentic portrait of close-knit New York families and features warm performances, the script tackles too many issues in an uneven manner.
The character dynamics lack depth, and some plot points strain credulity without sufficient redemption or catharsis.
However, the film succeeds in capturing familiar family dynamics and cultural traditions with a nice use of music.