Big Night

R

Released Jan 24, 1996

1 hr. 47 min.

Drama

List

97%

58 Reviews

Tomatometer

84%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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ken

good acting and enjoyed the cooking scenes too

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/08/22

Full Review

Jeff M

If ever a movie could be described as "delicious", this is definitely the one! Do not watch this under any conditions if you haven't eaten in the last 6 hours. The last half of this film is basically a delectable dinner filled with an assortment of eccentric guests, wonderful wine and the most mouth-watering courses imaginable. And the movie surrounding it ain't half bad either! This motion picture somehow flew under my radar - I knew of it but never felt compelled to watch. And I'm so glad to have discovered it. As much as it's about food, it's also about family - Tucci and Shalhoub have extraordinary chemistry together and will forever be brothers in my mind. The whole cast is outstanding - and what fun to see singer Marc Anthony in a supporting role as their restaurant employee. Ian Holm was worthy of an Oscar nomination, and I may have thrown one to Isabella Rossellini as well - she is absolutely glowing here. If you loved the Italian family of MOONSTRUCK, I think you'll find a lot to appreciate here. Especially the food! And the ending is perfection!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/11/24

Full Review

Lee H

Hard to beat this one. The music, atmosphere and message are so terrific. I would be hard pressed to think of many better movies that highlight the struggle/reward of work and the beauty of a kitchen. Magnificent!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/12/23

Full Review

X O

It's ok. Secondo needs a lesson in knowing who to trust. Could see the bullsht by Pascale a mile away. But Secondo gets mad at Primo? Idiot.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/22/23

Full Review

Matthew D

Incredibly boring. The mid-90s shouldn't feel like such a bygone era, but I've rarely seen a movie so glacial and tepid, yet high scoring

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

09/30/23

Full Review

Doug S

If you love food, or fabulous nuanced acting, or love in all its glory then this movie is for you.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/13/23

Full Review

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Campbell Scott

Director

Stanley Tucci

Director

Minnie Driver

Phyllis

Ian Holm

Pascal

Isabella Rossellini

Gabriella

Tony Shalhoub

Primo

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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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Lisa Schwarzbaum

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: A

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Roger Moore

Orlando Sentinel

Rated: 4/5

May 13, 2009

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

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

Mar 31, 2008

Full Review

James Croot

Stuff.co.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

Full Review

Heather Boerner

Common Sense Media

Delicious adult fare sure to leave you hungry.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 18, 2010

Full Review

Read all reviews

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
Executive Producer: David Paul Kirkpatrick, Keith Samples
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

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