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Summary: So beautiful
Review: Simple. Searing. Complex. Gentle. Big Night takes you on an emotional ride through the lives of brothers, making you care about both of them and see both sides of their story.
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Summary: Small budget, Big Night
Review: Big Night provides a good example of how a great movie can be made without a lot of money if you have a good story and good acting. Big Night draws us into a story about art (in this case, the art of cooking-a favorite of mine), success and family while asking us to question how we prioritize these things. The story populates itself with distinct, well-conceived characters, and a great part of the fun is watching the skilled actors sink their teeth into the roles. And the party that ensues and the food that's served leaves you wishing you could be there. (I've made the timpano many times, and believe me, it's every bit as good as it looks.) It's a fun, stimulating experience, and though a little overwrought in the latter stages, Tucci and company had the courage to close the film with a scene in which simple actions speak more eloquently than dialogue.
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Summary: A hidden masterpiece!
Review: This is in my opinion one of the best movies ever made and I am not exagerating. A Brilliant cast with Stanley Tucci, Isabella Rossellini, Minnie Driver, Tony Shaloub and Ian Holm stealing every scene he's in. This is a film with a warm heart and wonderful humour that deserves to be praised.
Rating: 
Summary: A Feast
Review: Big Night, the story of immigrant brothers struggling to make it in America is a feast for its viewers. It is a small film, much of its action taking place in the small restaurant owned by the brothers. These brothers mount one last, big party in hopes to save their establishment. In the end, for one reason or another, everyone has turned away, leaving them with their biggest supporter, each other. This is not an action flick and not even a popcorn movie... But, for me, this film was a smorgasbord.
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Summary: One of my all-time favorites
Review: The Big Night is one of my all time favorite movies. Being a graphic artist I felt I could really relate to the chef Primo, wanting to create a masterpiece and feeling frustrated when it's not what the public wants. The soundtrack is also a must own. Oh yeah, and a big tip, NEVER WATCH THIS MOVIE HUNGRY.
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Summary: Food Glorious Food
Review: This little movie, and it seems a disservice to call it that, is so charming and touching, that it's on my permanent top ten list. The performances are subtle and the food, oh my God the food! Did I forget the music? The soundtrack is one of the best to listen to while cooking Italian. Plot has been covered by others, so I'll stick with tiny details, the faces of the stuffed diners, the conga line, the women's chat and the timpano...oh the timpano! I made this dish at home (over 3 days) and it was glorious. My favorite part of the movie though, is the final scene, shot in one-take, of Segundo preparing breakfast. No words, just acting (and cooking). Excellent, like the rest of it.
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Summary: The Best Dinner You'll Ever Watch
Review: Stanley Tucci and Tony Shalhoub are brothers from Italy operating a none too successful restaurant in 1950's America. Tucci is the host with a head for business, Shalhoub is the chef who is a cusine snob. Tucci gambles on one big night that could pull their restaurant out of the financial hole and gain it popularity by hosting a dinner for visiting jazz great Louis Prima, who they think they can invite with the help of the successful restaurant operator accross the street. A wonderful look at hope, struggle and relationships. Beautiful photography, great humor, and a fitting soundtrack. This film deserves praise as it is one of the only portrayals of Italian life and culture in which the ever present "mafia" does not appear.
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Summary: Remarkable, Simply Remarkable
Review: If you enjoyed Babette's Feast or Eat Drink Man Woman, you can well be expected to enjoy Big Night. This charming film is intelligent, subtle, honest, and thoroughly enchanting. The characters are not cardboard cut-outs, they are fully developed with a complex set of emotions and motivations. Truly, this is not the run-of-the-mill Hollywood gruel; rather it is an intricate risotto, full of subtlety and nuance. Messieurs Tucci and Shaloub are wonderful in their portrayal of Primo and Secundo, two Italian brothers trying to operate a restaurant of quality - not pretense, just quality. Standing in their way of success are customers who do not appreciate truly good food and another retauranteur, Pascal, who caters to the latter's plebian appetites. Interwoven into the story are the romantic interests of the brothers, each as different in substance and execution as the brothers themselves. The pace of the story is slow and gentle, like a fine meal. Nothing is rushed nor is anything unjustly delayed. Those who have accustomed themselves to the fast pace of Hollywood movies are likely to be shocked by the simplicity and subtlety of Big Night. This is not a story that advances itself by cheap tricks or flashy scenes; it moves at the same civilized pace of Chef Primo's magnificent banquet. Leaving the viewer to digest each course without being rushed. Truly, this is a movie for those who, due to the appalling quality of what passes for modern movies, have thought themselves not fond of movies. To see and enjoy this film is to renew not only your faith in the potential of the cinema, it is to review your own life, for there is a little philosophy in the movie as well. However, it will not demand an answer from you, it will merely suggest a few questions to you; whether you answer them or not is your decision.
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Summary: "Big Night" was the Best Movie of 1996.
Review: The fact that it didn't receive a single Academy Award nomination is a harsh indictment of the Academy. Sure, it's a very small, quiet film, but its characters are so memorable, its dialogue so perfect, that I can't imagine that anyone who sees it can ever forget it. Big Night, in its own unassuming way, touches on a lot of Big Issues--the joy of food, the love of family, the constant war of art vs. ambition, the necessity of staying true to your principles--and it does so gracefully and entertainingly. It probably was never a realistic candidate for Best Picture, but at least there could have been nominations for Best Original Screenplay and for the performances of Tony Shalhoub, Ian Holm and Minnie Driver. That would have been simple justice.
Rating:
Summary: Entertainment
Review: It's a good movie. Read the critics review for the plot. This is a movie without hype. You get to see the guy from "Wings" and "Stark Raving Mad" play a challenging role along with Stanley Tucci.
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