Review: "Big Night" (bittersweet comedy)

Films/DVD Asylum

Movies from comedy to drama to your favorite Hollyweird Star.

It occured to me that I've never discussed this movie on this board, and a quick search revealed little info. So, for your reading (and hopefully viewing) pleasure...
TITLE
Big Night (1996)
DIRECTED BY
Stanley Tucci; Campbell Scott (the car salesman)
STARRING
Stanley Tucci; Tony Shalhoub (Antonio on Wings); Minnie Driver; Isabella Rossellini
SYNOPSIS
Shalhoub and Tucci play Primo and Secondo, respectively; two brothers who've come to America from Italy to open and run an authentic Italian restaurant in 1950s New York City. Primo is the uncompromising chef while Secondo tends to business. And business is not good. Meanwhile in his restaurant across the street, their colleague and "friend", Pascal, is bastardizing Italian food (i.e., Americanizing it) and packing them in night after night.
In an attempt to drum up business, the brothers agree to throw caution to the wind on one "big night" complete with Louis Prima as guest of honor - provided courtesy of Pascal. What follows is a feast of mouth-watering proportions complete with dancing, drinking, smooching, jealousy, betrayal and ultimately, the realization that even in the darkest hour, nothing can break the bond of family.
FUNNIEST LINES OF THE MOVIE
"Do you know what happens in that restaurant? Rape! Rape of cuisine!"
patron: "Why are there no meatballs with my spaghetti?"
Primo (spoken in an Italian accent): "Eh, sometimes...the spaghetti...it likes to be alone."
COMMENTS
If you are Italian, you'll probably like this movie. If you are a cooking enthusiast, you'll probably like this movie. If you are both, you'll probably love this movie. If you are neither, you'll probably enjoy it for what it is: A bittersweet comedy. It was so refreshing for me to see an American movie made about Italians w/o the word "mafia" uttered once! (The Godfather not withstanding, because it's just a damn good movie.) The main ingredient in this movie is comedy, mixed with some bittersweet moments. Isabella Rossellini in the role of Pascal's wife, Garbriella, is remeniscent of Sophia Loren in her prime and simply oozes sexuality. Minnie Driver plays Secondo's unsuspecting girlfriend who presses him for a more serious relationship as he's shacking up with Gabriella. The movie is funny most of the time...hilarious at moments...and bittersweet in its message that when it comes to family, blood is thicker than water.
If you're looking to spend a pleasant evening watching a very good movie that is not too deep... is funny, but not slapstick stupid funny... and leaves you longing to call your parents or hug your sibling, then rent it with your S/O and enjoy.
Oh, and make sure you watch it on full stomach, cuz if you're hungry, you'll be pausing it to throw together a midnight pasta feast!! :))
Enjoy!
Aurelio S.

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Parts Connexion

Topic - Review: "Big Night" (bittersweet comedy) - Aurelio S. 22:58:47 01/04/02 (7)

Re: Review: "Big Night" (bittersweet comedy) - ISHMAEL 12:41:49 02/26/02 (0)

I saw it in the theater, and you nailed it... - darkmoebius 14:14:47 01/06/02 (0)

Re: Review: "Big Night" (bittersweet comedy) - Victor Khomenko 05:46:51 01/05/02 (0)

Re: Review: "Big Night" (bittersweet comedy) - MiKe- 05:07:48 01/05/02 (0)

Tuccy,one of the ... - Patrick UITZ 04:45:55 01/05/02 (2)

Did you see him in "Sidewalks of New York?" - Allan Songer 08:58:02 01/10/02 (1)

Yes , I did... - Patrick UITZ 13:33:39 01/10/02 (0)

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