Big Night
In love and life, one big night can change everything.
A treat for movie lovers and food lovers everywhere, BIG NIGHT is the story of two Italian brothers whose superb restaurant is on the brink of bankruptcy. Their only chance is to risk everything they own on one 'big night' that will make them or break them.
Member Reviews
As close to perfect as you can get .. - Abegweit
I first saw Big Night at the cinema when it was released in 1996 - and loved it. I rented it recently for my son and his wife (keen foodies), and I wanted to rewatch it as well. For some reason, I have never come across it being shown on television and nobody I have mentioned it to has heard of it, so I wondered whether my memory was skewed. I am glad to report that my recollection of this movie from fourteen years ago has held true: Big Night is as close to perfection as any film I have ever seen (subsequent movies “Good Night, and Good Luck” and “Capote” are also up there). After watching again, I was absorbed for another two hours online, reading about the production background - and watching YouTube videos on how to prepare some of the sublime Italian cuisine dished up in the film. Freighted with significance, even the most basic three-egg omelette is prepared with subtle grace and loving care. It is a ‘small film’, not a blockbuster but more like a well-crafted stage play (I think of Glengarry Glen Ross) – few sets, simple production (made for less than $5M), perfectly written and deftly acted. Although food plays a central role, it is the complex relationship between the two brothers that is at the heart of the story. At times, it is also very funny. There is a scene near the end, where the brothers are arguing on the beach, that (even while it grabs at the heartstrings) really slays me. If you turned the sound off and just watched them – they are so .. so .. Italian!
Warning: do not view movie while hungry!A feast of a film - Jayd01
This is a beautiful movie that any foodie would absolutely love, but really anyone can fall in love with this film. The characters are all unique, one differing so much from the other, while they all fall together to make the perfect cast. One of my favorite scenes in this film is when one of the brothers is trying to describe lasagna to the woman he loves. What he describes is in fact utopia!Gorgeous film - DocHaywood
I've often wondered why this film did not do much better at the box office. It's such a wonderful film on so many levels. Beautifully shot...you an almost smell the food being prepared. And the performances are fantastic. Tucci, Shaloub and Ian Holm are incredible. What is also overlooked in this film is the score. Wow. From gorgeous, flowing opera to Louis Prima's wailing. I also defy anyone to watch this film, especially the big dinner scene and not get hungry. A perfect pairing for a movie night would be Big Night and Babette's feast.
Bon appetit.
Member Reviews
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As close to perfect as you can get .. - Abegweit
I first saw Big Night at the cinema when it was released in 1996 - and loved it. I rented it recently for my son and his wife (keen foodies), and I wanted to rewatch it as well. For some reason, I have never come across it being shown on television and nobody ...A feast of a film - Jayd01
This is a beautiful movie that any foodie would absolutely love, but really anyone can fall in love with this film. The characters are all unique, one differing so much from the other, while they all fall together to make the perfect cast. One of my favorite ...Gorgeous film - DocHaywood
I've often wondered why this film did not do much better at the box office. It's such a wonderful film on so many levels. Beautifully shot...you an almost smell the food being prepared. And the performances are fantastic. Tucci, Shaloub and Ian Holm are ...