The Stream: The story is predictable and borders on boring.

The Big Screen: Toni Collette and Monica Belucci are having fun in this light comedy.

The Final Bill: Despite best efforts by Toni Collette, this movie is only mildly funny and ultimately too predictable, aside for the bloody deaths.

– Trip Fontaine
Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Writers: J. Michael Feldman and Debbie Jhoon based on an original story by Amanda Sthers
Stars: Toni Collette, Monica Bellucci, Eduardo Scarpetta, Sophia Nomvete, Giulio Corso
Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime
Rating: R for bloody violence, sexual content and language
Runtime: 1 hour 35 minutes
Production Companies: Cornerstone Films, Ingenious Media, New Sparta Films, Vocab Films, Edver Films, Idea(L), Cattleya, Lipsync
Platform: In theaters April 14, 2023
Notable Trailers: The Starling Girl, The Lesson

Alright, Streamers, we have another one for you, but I feel like no one is talking about this movie. Haven’t you ever wondered what happens when the head of a crime family dies without an obvious successor? No, this has nothing to do with Logan Roy and the fourth season of HBO’s Succession. It has everything to do with Toni Collette’s new comedy in theaters right now called Mafia Mamma. Here’s how this lesson in taking over the family business goes.

In Mafia Mamma, Kristin Balbano’s (Toni Collette) son has just gone off to college, and she’s found out that her deadbeat husband has been unfaithful. As her once stable life at home is falling apart, Kristin receive word that her grandfather has died in Italian and she must attend the funeral as his closest living relative. Also, Kristin is set to inherit the reins of the crime family, which her grandfather had been head of for decades. Bianca (Monica Belucci), the consigliere, does her best to support Kristin as she transitions into running the crime family in Italy. Mafia-related comedy hijinks ensue.

In a way, I can understand why no one is really talking about Mafia Mamma. It is exactly what it advertises – nothing more, nothing less. The story is pretty basic, and it goes in the exact direction you think it will. Even the twists that occur are pretty obvious, which can be boring or annoying. Therefore, the movie has to rely on the charm of Toni Collette. She is kind of funny, but at times, her character is too naive to be believable. Nevertheless, there are fun aspects particularly the interplay between Collette and Monica Belucci. Also, it does get pretty bloody at times. Actually, it is surprisingly gory for this kind of light comedy about a suburban mom, but the deaths are always played for laughs. I guess in a mafia movie you should expect some bloody deaths, and this movie delivers those.

Ultimately, Mafia Mamma is fine – nothing special. The story is pretty basic and predictable, but there are some bloody deaths scattered throughout which jolt you to attention. The movie is buoyed by Toni Collette’s charms and her chemistry with Monica Belucci. Nevertheless, Mafia Mamma is not essential viewing. Have this on in the background when it comes to streaming with a handful of popcorn.