Somewhere in Queens: Winds Up in a Nice Place (Hulu)

Robin and I were watching Bill Maher's TV show on Friday, and his guest was none other than Ray Romano.  It turns out that Ray is the Director and Co-Writer of a newly released Hulu movie, "Somewhere in Queens."  The film received excellent reviews from Rotten Tomatoes, although several other critics panned it.  Robin and I thought it was really good, and I think most of you will enjoy it. Leo Russo (Romano) lives in Queens with his wife, Angela (Laurie Metcalf), and their son, "Sticks" (Jacob Ward).  Sticks is a high school senior who has a social anxiety disorder with few, if any, friends.  Although Sticks is shy and doesn't say much, he is a terrific point guard on the high school basketball team.  Leo is very proud of his son's basketball prowess and goes to all of his games.  Leo never went to college and works for the family construction company run by his dominating and controlling father.  Furthermore, the Foreman of the business is Leo's younger brother, which is a difficult pill for Leo to swallow. After the last basketball game of the season, Leo and Angela learn that Sticks has secretly been dating Dani (Sandie Stanley), who is very cute, smart, and can really stand up for herself.  Attending the last game is also a scout, who tells Leo and Sticks that Sticks has a good chance of getting a college basketball scholarship at a small Division I college.  The scout volunteers to make some calls to help Sticks out.  Leo is pumped up about Sticks being able to get a college degree and escape the family business, but Sticks isn't all that keen on the idea and the extended family is opposed to it. I won't reveal any more about the plot, but the potential college scholarship issue sets off a sequence of interesting family dynamics.  The film is primarily a drama, although there are a few funny scenes.  Leo and Sticks evolve in unanticipated ways, and Sticks and Dani have an engrossing teenage romance.  The movie has a feel-good ending, but not a typical Hollywood one.  The film has depth, and the acting by all the leads is first-rate.  If you're looking for a good TV movie, I'd check this one out.