X
- 1996
- R
- Samuel Goldwyn Company, The
- 1 h 47 m
- 1996
- R
- Samuel Goldwyn Company, The
- 1 h 47 m
Summary The story of two Italian brothers, Primo (Tony Shalhoub) and Secondo (Stanley Tucci), who immigrated to America with the dream of running a successful restaurant. As their business struggles, they pin all of their hopes on a lavish banquet honoring star vocalist Louis Prima, who a friend has promised to bring to the restaurant.
Directed By: Campbell Scott, Stanley Tucci
Written By: Stanley Tucci, Joseph Tropiano
- 1996
- R
- Samuel Goldwyn Company, The
- 1 h 47 m
- 1996
- R
- Samuel Goldwyn Company, The
- 1 h 47 m
Big Night
80
7.8
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Summary The story of two Italian brothers, Primo (Tony Shalhoub) and Secondo (Stanley Tucci), who immigrated to America with the dream of running a successful restaurant. As their business struggles, they pin all of their hopes on a lavish banquet honoring star vocalist Louis Prima, who a friend has promised to bring to the restaurant.
Directed By: Campbell Scott, Stanley Tucci
Written By: Stanley Tucci, Joseph Tropiano
Where to Watch
Coming Soon
Not available in your country?
ExpressVPN
Get 3 Extra months free
$6.67/mth
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 23 Critic Reviews
80
91% Positive
21 Reviews
21 Reviews
9% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 23 Critic Reviews
80
91% Positive
21 Reviews
21 Reviews
9% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
The real feast is in the mix of characters, each so finely and unschmaltzily delineated in a script so confident and controlled that even the most passing of participants comes alive.
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 25 User Ratings
7.8
88% Positive
22 Ratings
22 Ratings
8% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
4% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 25 User Ratings
7.8
88% Positive
22 Ratings
22 Ratings
8% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
4% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Jan 21, 2018
Without doubt, one of the most enchanting and inspiring movies I've seen in many, many years. Many strong similarities with BABETTE'S FEAST, but here the characters are given so much more depth including the complicated love/hate relationship between two brothers. One brother is unable to compromise his gift for superior food preparation, the other more practical brother simply hopes to be able to pay his bills by pleasing his customers (even if they're looking for a simple plate of spaghetti with meatballs.) Two world views that won't mesh well. A brilliant premise and it's also a genuine pleasure to watch this grand assembly of actors and actresses who continue to impress in later films. BUt, whatever greatness has followed in their individual careers, BIG NIGHT will never be topped. A perfect movie if ever there was one.
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Jan 13, 2015
Sometimes a movie is perfect, its rare but sometimes it happens. This is a very rare movie! Every element of this movie works with ease and subtle perfection. There is not a bad performance by any actor involved, the script, the pace, the direction, production, heck everything about this movie makes me feel joy. It feels like a long time since a movie made me feel warm inside. Thank you to all involved in the making of BIG NIGHT, you've improved my life. X
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In addition to their deft skill with light drama, the directors understand well-placed humor, and throw just the right amount of comedy into the mix to make Big Night fun without turning it into an outright farce.
Both a delightful story and a great food movie that ranks with "Like Water for Chocolate'' or "Babette's Feast.''
There's an almost natty precision about this picture that's so rare these days in American movies that it provides satisfaction in itself.
The story, ultimately, is about the classic conflict between a desire to cherish and protect one's unique gifts from a brutal world and a more practical instinct to compromise beauty.
Jun 5, 2012
Piece of Advice DON'T WATCH THIS MOVIE WHILE YOUR HUNGRY!!! YOU WILL RESOLVE TO CANNIBALISM! But seriously, this was a really good film. It was about two brothers who own a lovely italian restaurant with authentic **** They're are losing customers fast as a new restaurant with not classical, but more 'joking around' kind of food takes all there business. Will a 'Big Night' of cooking and preparing for a HUGE dinner party with a special guest save the restaurant? Overall, great film.
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Aug 28, 2024
This is one of those films that creep up on you after an opening that leaves you wondering just where it could possibly be heading. For a debut writing/direction collaboration by friends, Stanley Tucci and Campbell Scott (Son of George C.) - they certainly create an impression as a talented duo. On a low budget, they manage to bring in a sterling achievement, with a diverse cast featuring a surprising array of interesting personalities - who must have taken pay cuts for the sake of getting this rather off-beat project onto the screen. I’d dare say the fabulous food they consumed during production would have contributed a degree of interest also. The theme of two Italian brothers making it big in the ‘new land’ is handled with humor, laced with a degree of drama as their restaurant business racks up insurmountable debts. Ken Kelsch’s cinematography never gets overly glossy, keeping the duo’s angst and frustration foremost in proceedings. Do they stay or give up? Food here is not only a business but a star that brings people from various backgrounds together in common delight. Nice work with a marvelous end-credit song. Oh, and yes, they are Italian, so they tend to swear a bit.
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Awards
Film Independent Spirit Awards
• 1 Win & 4 Nominations
Chlotrudis Awards
• 3 Nominations
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
