Big Night

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Big Night

R

1996

1h 47m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

57 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Chef Primo (Tony Shalhoub) and businessman Secondo (Stanley Tucci) are immigrant brothers from Italy who open their dream restaurant, Paradise, in New Jersey. However, Primo's authentic food is too unfamiliar for the local tastes, and the restaurant is struggling. When famous Italian-American bandleader Louis Prima is scheduled to appear at Paradise, the two brothers put all of their efforts into the important meal, which will likely decide the fate of their restaurant.

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Critics Consensus

The performances in Big Night are wonderful, and the food looks delicious.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

An actor for sophisticated palates, Tucci's too good to stay obscure any longer.

Mar 31, 2008

Full Review

Desson Thomson

Washington Post

A charming, delicate repast prepared by Stanley Tucci and Campbell Scott.

Apr 7, 2003

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Peter Stack

San Francisco Chronicle

A small movie -- and that's its subtle charm.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 18, 2002

Full Review

Diana Tuova

Spotlight on Film

The actors do a phenomenal job, and because the film never takes itself seriously, it soon morphs into something adorable, touching and "deliciously" random (or randomly "delicious"?).

Rated: 4/5

Aug 2, 2024

Full Review

James Croot

The Post NZ

Tucci and Joseph Tropiano's script is filled with memorable moments, the escalating farce beautifully combining with some witty one-liners, all delivered by magnificent ensemble.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 20, 2021

Full Review

Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

It will send your salivary glands into Tex Avery territory, but "Big Night" is layered with the delicacy, care & closely guarded alchemy of a family recipe - evolving beyond food as emotional or communicative currency into something more bittersweet.

Rated: 4.5/5

Sep 29, 2016

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ken

good acting and enjoyed the cooking scenes too

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/08/22

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David M.

Can’t believe this movie was almost 30 years ago now. Well crafted and acted. Earlier career for some heavyweights.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/26/25

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K M

Love everything about this movie. Incredible cast. Thoughtful, clever writing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/15/25

Full Review

Sarfaraz A

Stanley Tucci and Campbell Scott codirected this drama. The cast includes Stanley Tucci, Tony Shalhoub, Ian Holm, Isabella Rossellini, and Minnie Driver. The film is set in the 1950s and follows two Italian brothers who have traveled to the land (USA) of opportunity to build a restaurant. The elder brother (Tony) is a fastidious chef who will not allow food corruption at any cost. The siblings are hoping for an Italian singer to attend the restaurant's "Big Night" celebration and assist boost revenue. I enjoy food movies. The film's start will tempt you into its delectable formula of a gala narrative. It has both sad and comic narratives, and its few unique characters will cheer you up. There isn't one scene that will bore you.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/17/25

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Anton H

It may boast an impressive roster of actors and hearty servings of indie charm, but moments that are intended to be funny mostly come off as awkward, with characters’ bizarre and confusing behavior making the scenes more uncomfortable than entertaining. Possibly it may get better with more viewings… but I’ll likely never know.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/19/24

Full Review

Audience Member

One of the best films for a screenwriter to watch for the subtext alone. Entertaining to see the greats in their earlier days and projects that made them.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/11/24

Full Review

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Campbell Scott

Director

Stanley Tucci

Director

Minnie Driver

Phyllis

Ian Holm

Pascal

Isabella Rossellini

Gabriella

Tony Shalhoub

Primo

Big Night: Official Clip - I Should Kill You

1:57

Big Night: Official Clip - Let's Eat

1:54

Big Night: Official Clip - I Make Fun

2:02

Big Night: Official Clip - Brotherly Fight

2:11

Big Night: Official Clip - I Have Nothing

1:50

Big Night: Official Clip - It's About Money

2:08

Big Night: Official Clip - We Will Foreclose

1:40

Big Night: Official Clip - I Want a Cowboy

2:06

Big Night: Official Clip - Can We Talk About It?

2:10

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Synopsis

Chef Primo (Tony Shalhoub) and businessman Secondo (Stanley Tucci) are immigrant brothers from Italy who open their dream restaurant, Paradise, in New Jersey. However, Primo's authentic food is too unfamiliar for the local tastes, and the restaurant is struggling. When famous Italian-American bandleader Louis Prima is scheduled to appear at Paradise, the two brothers put all of their efforts into the important meal, which will likely decide the fate of their restaurant.

Director: Campbell Scott, Stanley Tucci
Producer: Jonathan Filley
Screenwriter: Joseph Tropiano, Stanley Tucci
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Company
Production Co: Rysher Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 24, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 21, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.0M
Runtime: 1h 47m

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