Rating: 
Summary: Great movie!
Review: As "Like Water For Chocolate" defines the Mexican experience, "Big Night" does the same for the Italian immigrant. A touching film about two brothers and their struggles both with each other and the new world. The eldest brother, Primo, played by Tony Shaloub, shows a true passion for his food that elicits laughter, admiration, and empathy. And the food!! He cooks up a veritable feast, culminating in a Timpani that will have you salivating like a padlocked dog.Stanley Tucci plays the younger brother Secundo, who worries about more practical matters, like paying the bills. He and Primo go 15 rounds over the menu, produce, and every other little detail. If the crescendo of the movie is the all night feast scene, its denoumont is the next morning. The love exhibited between the two brothers is obvious and moving. The film features a soundtrack starring jazz great Louis Prima. Wonderful stuff that will inspire you to buy the soundtrack as well.
Rating:
Summary: You CAN smell the food while watching
Review: This is a beautiful movie on a number of levels. As many reviewers have noted already the Italian cooking and the scenes in the kitchen will have you craving a fine Italian dinner as soon as you finish watching.
Beyond the food this is a fine film with a very touching story involving two immigrant brothers who are extremely close despite their obvious personality differences. The tension between the brothers builds as they attempt to salvage their struggling restaurant business. Primo (Tony Shalhoub)the older brother has an artistic temperment and that applies to his uncompromising approach to cooking and cuisine. His brother,Secondi(Staney Tucci), has more material ambitions and is manipulated by a competing restauratnt owner into an ill-advised attempt to publicise their restaurant by having an elaborate dinner party for singer Louie Prima. Hence the film revolves around preparations for THE BIG NIGHT. The climax has the conflict between the brothers break out into the open and the film ends with a beautiful sequence in the kitchen where there is a silent reconcilliation. The story is set in a New Jersey shore town in the 1950's. The period is captured beautifully with big-finned Cadilacs cruising down the main street and the women's fashions are right on the money. The soundtrack is absolutely fabulous with cuts from Rosemary Clooney, Louie Prima and some lesser known Italian recording artists.
Both Shalhoub and Tucci are excellent in thei roles and the supporting cast is very good as well. Overall I highly reccomend both the film and the soundtrack.
Rating:
Summary: Hungry? You will be.
Review: Though I wish I had the words to give it justice, I cannot even begin to describe what a magnificent achievement this movie is. When I watched this movie for the first time in the theater, I joined in something remarkable. When the movie ended, the entire audience stood up and applauded. This is a film that simply goes beyond brilliant. It is so good, it is embarrassing. It throws you into it like few other films I have seen. It is sad, elating, poignant, funny and utterly remarkable. This film is a story of two Italian immigrants trying to make it as restauranteurs in the United States, selling authentic fare against the Boyardee expectations of the general public. However, where the expectation is that the film will attack the unappreciative "philistines" of America head on it, instead, invites everybody into subverting those expectations with a combination of surprising humor and some of the most delectable comestibles celluloid has ever witnessed. I must add, for the love of all that is holy, eat something before you watch this. The food that is thrown across the screen is beyond description. There is a bit where a cake-like pasta dish is cut into and, as they pull out the slice, an entire theater full of people could not help but let out a collective, "Unnnnngggggghhhh." Also, have a meal ready for afterward, preferably something Italian, because you could have a bender at a smorgasbord just before and you will be starving like a hunger-striker by the time the credits roll. Had this film existed in the late '40's, the British would have tortured Ghandi with it. This is not a film of swordfights or gunplay or swashing buckles. It is a film of people. But brilliant people. It is like sitting down with a genius and having him/her explain his view of the universe to you: Simultaneously fascinating but somehow elusive. As though there is some jump that you instinctively know exists, but can't quite understand. All I can say is, it is well worth the effort. It does not need special DVD features. It does not need director's commentary. It does not need interviews with the actors. Like a good, sorry, great meal, it simply needs to be itself.
Rating: 
Summary: A touching feast
Review: Don't expect big action or big adventure. Big Night is a small film that certainly will stay with you when it the ending credits begin. Think of the feeling you have after drinking a rather nice bottle of Merlot and you will understand the emotion of this film. The film centers around two brothers: one, an idealist, the other, a pragmatist and the rich cast of characters. The interaction between the brothers is lovable and touching. It often simulates real life if you happen to be the proud offspring of an immigrant family. The food is inspiring and the remarkable and the rich flavors of dialogue help you understand the importance that succeeding in a new country and staying true to your own convictions can often times be overwhelming. There are a few holes in the plotline that seem to make no logical sense (i.e. the brother's rival taking a heartfelt interest in their business) so the climax was predictable. I understand that this movie received "raves". A good film, but certainly not "one of the best". It is a perfect movie to rent for those "Dinner & Movie" nights.
Rating: 
Summary: Great movie, cheap DVD
Review: As most of the other reviewers have noted, this is delightful gem of a movie about the conflict between two Italian immigrant brothers who are trying to operate a restaurant. The older brother, Primo (Tony Shalhoub), is a culinary purist, the younger brother, Secundo (Stanley Tucci), is more pragmatic. The cast is rounded out with Ian Holm, Minnie Driver, and Isabella Rossellini. I deducted a star because the DVD is cheaply made. There is no director's commentary, and no alternative sound set up. My copy contains an insert that states that there are two English sound tracks, a Dolby surround sound and a 5.1 dolby digital. Surround sound is the default, but to play back the 5.1, "simply access the main menu, select Languages/audio setup, then select English 5.1 (dolby digital)." Simple enough. The only problem is that the main menu does not contain a "select languages/audio setup" option. It simply doesn't exist. Which makes the insert kind of funny. Bottom line, this is cool movie with a great sound track, but they need to take another shot a making a DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Magnifico!
Review: Another great food film! The unforgettable characters is what truly makes this a film worth seeing. These 2 Italian brothers in New Jersey have a small restaurant which is failing partially due to the old world ideology of the chef brother, and the americanization of the other brother. They witness the restaurant up the street thrive albeit serving food that "the owner should be in prison for". Just when they are almost completely broke, they get a chance to serve Louis Primo, and they go all out to create a truly spectacular banquet. Again, the acting is wonderful, and the characters are laugh-out-loud funny. Check this one out for sure.
Rating:
Summary: Delicious
Review: Great acting, beuatiful cinematography, wonderful writing, mouth-watering food, good humored jokes, this is one of the most likeable little movies I've ever seen. Not much for story, but it won't be missed. You will be satisfied. You'll still want more.
Rating:
Summary: great music, food and conversation...what more could you wan
Review: THIS IS A FUN FILM! And a well-made one too. It's worth seeing because of the great blend of music, dialog and personalities. Most especially the two Italian brothers and their affection and humor is a wonderful experience to be part of. And you do get taken in. Its like the great food and wine and music...It is contagious. Do yourself a flavor...take a taste.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful film
Review: This is one of my favourite foodie films and is definitely up there with Babette's Feast. Check out the final scene, shot in one take and featuring considerable poise and culinary skill by Stanley Tucci. A classic!
Rating:
Summary: One of the best little films ever
Review: This is a simple story, one about love, greed, betrayal, ambition, and how one man with a big idea - doesn't always get to live the American Dream. Fine acting, a good story, excellent period music and costumes, and featuring food that is simply to *live* for - what is there about this movie not to like? No hip soundtrack, no car chases or explosions, no violent outbreaks or profanity-laden dialogue? Well, this may not exacly be a family movie, but it is one that is good for a rent on a rainy day, or a date when it comes around to your local artsy one screen theater.
| 
