R | 1h 46min | Comedy, Drama, Romance, Coming-of-Age | 21 April 2023 (USA)
For nine seasons (1996–2005), former stand-up comedian Ray Romano co-produced, occasionally wrote, and played the title lead in “Everybody Loves Raymond” (“Everybody”), a CBS sitcom that enjoyed mammoth viewership and lukewarm critical response while offering ultrasafe content.
From 2009 to 2011, Romano did the same thing on “Men of a Certain Age” (“Certain”), a much edgier comedy with dramatic elements that wowed critics, won a Peabody Award, and pulled in below-modest ratings that led to TNT’s canceling it after two seasons.
Angela Russo (Laurie Metcalf) and Leo Russo (Ray Romano) in “Somewhere in Queens.” (Roadside Attractions)
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It’s too early to say for sure, but the two very different demographics for those two TV shows are likely to find themselves on somewhat favorable common ground with “Somewhere in Queens” (“Queens”), which Queens native Romano co-produced, co-wrote (with “Certain” staff writer Mark Stegemann), and plays the lead. At age 65, Romano directed “Queens,” his first feature film as a director, proving that it’s never too late to try something new….