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List Price: $14.94 | | Label: Sony Pictures
Salesrank: 3680
Released: April 7, 1998 |
| Our Price: $6.99 |
| Used Price: $8.22 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
The story of two italian brothers whose superb restaurant is on the verge of bankruptcy. Their only chance is to risk everything they own on one big night that will make or break them. Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 11/27/2007 Starring: Minnie Driver Isabella Rossellini Run time: 109 minutes Rating: R Director: Stanley Tucci/campbell Scott
Description of Big Night:
Critics tripped all over their big feet to praise Big Night, and in doing so performed a grave disservice to this fine little film. They fooled audiences into believing it was a "super movie" instead of a home movie buoyed by friends and family. Consequently, many viewers were disappointed. Big Night is an intimate look at the immigrant struggle to attain the American Dream, set in New Jersey in the 1950s. Its disproportionate success gave co-directors Stanley Tucci and Campbell Scott, who also star in the picture, the green light to follow up with a smug, unsuccessful second venture called The Imposters. Tucci wrote Big Night with his cousin Joseph Tropiano, and they based the story on the experience of growing up in a large, proud Italian family. The brothers in Big Night--chef Primo (Tony Shalhoub) and businessman Secondo (Tucci)--have come to New Jersey to open a bistro named The Paradise that serves the finest in traditional, authentic Italian cuisine. Their every move is foiled by rival restaurant Pascal's, which serves mile-high servings of spaghetti and meatballs and flasks of bad Chianti at exorbitant prices. Primo is disgusted by the fact that Americans want cheap pasta instead of risotto, so Secondo hatches a plan to boost business: rumor has it bandleader Louis Prima is travelling through and will dine at The Paradise that very night. Secondo gambles to bring the finest dinner ever cooked--at the risk of losing his shirt and being reduced to exile to the old country with his tail between his legs. Big Night is a film that will easily invite comparisons to other "food" fare like Babette's Feast and Eat Drink Man Woman but, though Tucci insists his story is "about the struggle between art and commerce and the risk of staying true to yourself," the media refused to let it stay a small, comparative work. The movie, and the buzz around it, became a parable for the essence of the film itself: art vs. commerce. --Paula Nechak
Big Night Reviews:
superb food movie 
2008-07-14 - subtle, touching, it oozes love of good (italian) food.
the acting was out of this world.
A movie that you can sink your teeth into!
2008-04-17 - This is one of those fabulous movies that you can pop in any time that you want to be entertained. It's touching, it's funny, it is familiar. It is done with a well-known cast of actors that bring meat and potatoes to the story. With Tony Shalhoub and Stanley, how can you go wrong?
A charming little film 
2007-12-03 - Big Night is a charming small film about Italian immigrants in the 1950's setting up a restaurant in New Jersey. The film highlights the immigrant dilemma, do you change your life to become part of the American "melting pot" or do you retain the culture of the "old country." Well written, well acted, and surprising supporting players.
Some films stick to your ribs
2007-11-05 - I was writing a review of The Hoax when I remembered why I bought the DVD. Ever since watching The Big Night, I've bought any film with Stanley Tucci in the cast. I noticed that in other Amazon customer reviews of The Big Night, people seem to either hate or love this film. I fall into latter group.
I originally saw The Big Night on the big screen because a local newspaper reviewer suggested that you see the film at an early showing with a reservation for later the same evening at your favorite Italian restaurant. Dinner and a movie: What could be more American.
Although The Big Night didn't do well at the box office, it developed legs on DVD. This movie blazed a path for other food movies, propelled Tucci's career, and generated untold register receipts at Italian restaurants across America. Quite an accomplishment for a quiet little film. (Actually, the first food movie I remember was It Happened One Night. No other film has made me want to eat a carrot.)
One other piece of trivia about these two Tucci films: Both are hoax stories.
The Shut Mouth Society
The Shopkeeper
The Fountainhead in restaurant form
2007-10-14 - If I could give this movie 6 stars I would. The movie is truly made for someone like me though, as I am a chef and have a philosophy similar to Objectivism.
The movie is basically a tug-a-war between two different philosophies. Tony Shalhoub's character Primo represents the uncompromising visionary, who believes that you should just make the product exceptional & in everyway perfect regardless of the ends. His work is his reason for being. It is everything that makes his life worth living. He says, "If I sacrifice my work, it dies. It is better that I die."
Stanley Tucci's character Secondo represents the business-minded approach of giving the customer what he wants. It doesn't matter if you sacrifice your work, if that is what will determine your success. Work is only a means to an end. You feel his stress of being so close to bankruptcy the whole movie. You feel his desire to be successful, to have the beautiful women and the nice cars.
Even though these two philosophies are at odds, you sympathize with both. You understand both. It is noble and filling to be ideal, though it can be very hard and lead to ruin. And being pragmatic makes life easier, though it gives you no meaning.
A truly excellent film.
