Big Night (1996) – Two brothers are on the verge of losing their
restaurant, when the chance to feed a big star falls into their
lives.
restaurant, when the chance to feed a big star falls into their
lives.
Directed
by Stanley Tucci/Campbell Scott Starring Tony Shaloub,
Stanley Tucci, Minnie Driver, Isabella Rossellini, Ian Holm
by Stanley Tucci/Campbell Scott Starring Tony Shaloub,
Stanley Tucci, Minnie Driver, Isabella Rossellini, Ian Holm
Why
You Will Like It – Excellent cast does a great job in a story about
family, love and food!
You Will Like It – Excellent cast does a great job in a story about
family, love and food!
Set
in the 1950s, brothers Primo (Shaloub) and Secundo (Tucci) run an
excellent little Italian restaurant about to go under financially. Primo
refuses to lower his standards even as Pascal’s, the competition
down the street, draws all the customers with lesser food. Secundo
loves his brother, loves American consumer culture and two women. He
is desperate to find a solution to all his troubles when Pascal
(Holm) offers to use his connections to set up the brothers with
Louis Prima and his band. The brothers plan the best meal they’ve
ever created, while Secundo works to get publicity for it all.
in the 1950s, brothers Primo (Shaloub) and Secundo (Tucci) run an
excellent little Italian restaurant about to go under financially. Primo
refuses to lower his standards even as Pascal’s, the competition
down the street, draws all the customers with lesser food. Secundo
loves his brother, loves American consumer culture and two women. He
is desperate to find a solution to all his troubles when Pascal
(Holm) offers to use his connections to set up the brothers with
Louis Prima and his band. The brothers plan the best meal they’ve
ever created, while Secundo works to get publicity for it all.
Co-written
and co-directed by Tucci, this is a great script that never tries to
be more than it needs to be. The story is simple which gives this
talented cast the room to grow characters of depth. You feel Primo’s
awkwardness with Ann (Allison Janney), the local flower shop owner
he likes. Secondo struggles with his feelings for his “nice”
girlfriend, Phyllis (Driver), and the intense sexuality of Pascal’s
wife, Gabriella (Rossellini). He loves America and never wants to go
back to Italy. So the restaurant has to succeed. Tucci oozes
desperation. It’s great performance stacked on great performance.
This
is also a foodie movie. Primo’s dedication to always doing the food
the right way with cutting corners, the careful preparation (don’t
cut the garlic too fine!) are woven through the story. All leading to
the big meal and a dish I’d never run across before, il timpano.
It’s an amazing array of meats and sauce inside an enormous pasta
casing. Like everything else, the foodie bits never go beyond the
needs of the story.
is also a foodie movie. Primo’s dedication to always doing the food
the right way with cutting corners, the careful preparation (don’t
cut the garlic too fine!) are woven through the story. All leading to
the big meal and a dish I’d never run across before, il timpano.
It’s an amazing array of meats and sauce inside an enormous pasta
casing. Like everything else, the foodie bits never go beyond the
needs of the story.
This
is a great small budget movie ($4.1 million) that proves that a good
story and a great cast is all you need for a special movie.
is a great small budget movie ($4.1 million) that proves that a good
story and a great cast is all you need for a special movie.
Rating
**** Recommended
**** Recommended
Stories Are My Life 
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