X

1996
R
The Samuel Goldwyn Company
1 h 49 m

1996
R
The Samuel Goldwyn Company
1 h 49 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: Joseph Tropiano, Stanley Tucci

1996
R
The Samuel Goldwyn Company
1 h 49 m

1996
R
The Samuel Goldwyn Company
1 h 49 m

Big Night

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 23 Critic Reviews

80

User Score Universal Acclaim Based on 25 User Ratings

8.2

My Score

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Where to Watch

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: Joseph Tropiano, Stanley Tucci

Where to Watch

Critic Reviews

Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 23 Critic Reviews

91% Positive
21 Reviews

9% Mixed
2 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 23 Critic Reviews

91% Positive
21 Reviews

9% Mixed
2 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Entertainment Weekly

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.

By Lisa Schwarzbaum FULL REVIEW

Austin Chronicle

Big Night is, in a word, delicious.

By Steve Davis FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

User Score

Universal Acclaim Based on 25 User Ratings

88% Positive
22 Ratings

8% Mixed
2 Ratings

4% Negative
1 Rating

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

User Reviews

User Score

Universal Acclaim Based on 25 User Ratings

88% Positive
22 Ratings

8% Mixed
2 Ratings

4% Negative
1 Rating

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

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.

By James Berardinelli FULL REVIEW

Washington Post

It's the moviegoing equivalent of great eating.

By Desson Thomson FULL REVIEW

San Francisco Chronicle

Both a delightful story and a great food movie that ranks with "Like Water for Chocolate'' or "Babette's Feast.''

By Peter Stack FULL REVIEW

There's an almost natty precision about this picture that's so rare these days in American movies that it provides satisfaction in itself.

By John Hartl FULL REVIEW

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.

By Tom Keogh FULL REVIEW

See All 23 Critic Reviews

Dec 29, 2014

I just thought I'd come here and say that I need movies like this in my life. Genuine, indulgent, subtle, aching. In short, done with palpable care...

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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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See All 4 User Reviews

Details

Production Company Rysher Entertainment, Timpano Production

Release Date Sep 20, 1996

Duration 1 h 49 m

Rating R

Genres

Tagline In love and life, one big night can change everything.

View All Details

Awards

Film Independent Spirit Awards

• 1 Win & 4 Nominations

Chlotrudis Awards

• 3 Nominations

Boston Society of Film Critics Awards

• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations

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