Big Night

Name: Big Night
Genre: Drama
Released: September 20, 1996
Duration: 107 min
Rating: 80
Cast: Stanley Tucci, Tony Shalhoub

1996

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 23 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 28 Ratings

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8.4

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8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 28 Ratings

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Big Night

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Movie Details & Credits

Samuel Goldwyn Company, The | Release Date: September 20, 1996 | R

Starring: Stanley Tucci, Tony Shalhoub

Summary: The story of two Italian brothers, Primo (Tony Shalhoub) and Secondo (Stanley Tucci), who immigrated to America with the dream of running a successful restaurant. As their business struggles, they pin all of their hopes on a lavish banquet honoring star vocalist Louis Prima, who a friend has promised to bring to the restaurant.

Director: Campbell Scott and Stanley Tucci

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 107 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Barbara Shulgasser

Big Night's beauty is the fact that it is about passion. Read full review

100

Roger Ebert

By the end of the movie, we have been through an emotional and a sensual wringer, in a film of great wisdom and delight. Read full review

Steve Davis

Big Night is, in a word, delicious. Read full review

Janet Maslin

The film is loaded with brotherly affection and with warm, funny and poignant evocations of a gentler time.[20 September 1996, p.C12] Read full review

Desson Thomson

It's the moviegoing equivalent of great eating. Read full review

Peter Stack

Both a delightful story and a great food movie that ranks with "Like Water for Chocolate'' or "Babette's Feast.'' Read full review

Film.com Tom Keogh

The story, ultimately, is about the classic conflict between a desire to cherish and protect one's unique gifts from a brutal world and a more practical instinct to compromise beauty.

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User Reviews

DavidO.

Aug 31, 2006

One of the finest "little movies" of the last 30 years. An absolute gem full of spot-on acting and wonderful writing.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

TravisR.

Sep 15, 2005

It is perfect.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

dryyoshi7

Jun 5, 2012

Piece of Advice DON'T WATCH THIS MOVIE WHILE YOUR HUNGRY!!! YOU WILL RESOLVE TO CANNIBALISM! But seriously, this was a really good film. It was about two brothers who own a lovely italian restaurant with authentic cuisine.....BUT They're are losing customers fast as a new restaurant with notPiece of Advice DON'T WATCH THIS MOVIE WHILE YOUR HUNGRY!!! YOU WILL RESOLVE TO CANNIBALISM! But seriously, this was a really good film. It was about two brothers who own a lovely italian restaurant with authentic cuisine.....BUT They're are losing customers fast as a new restaurant with not classical, but more 'joking around' kind of food takes all there business. Will a 'Big Night' of cooking and preparing for a HUGE dinner party with a special guest save the restaurant? Overall, great film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Scraper

Dec 29, 2014

I just thought I'd come here and say that I need movies like this in my life. Genuine, indulgent, subtle, aching. In short, done with palpable care...

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

seventhseal

Jan 13, 2015

Sometimes a movie is perfect, its rare but sometimes it happens. This is a very rare movie!

Every element of this movie works with ease and subtle perfection. There is not a bad performance by any actor involved, the script, the pace, the direction, production, heck everything about thisSometimes a movie is perfect, its rare but sometimes it happens. This is a very rare movie!

Every element of this movie works with ease and subtle perfection. There is not a bad performance by any actor involved, the script, the pace, the direction, production, heck everything about this movie makes me feel joy.

It feels like a long time since a movie made me feel warm inside.

Thank you to all involved in the making of BIG NIGHT, you've improved my life. X… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

whostosay

Jan 21, 2018

Without doubt, one of the most enchanting and inspiring movies I've seen in many, many years. Many strong similarities with BABETTE'S FEAST, but here the characters are given so much more depth including the complicated love/hate relationship between two brothers. One brother is unable toWithout doubt, one of the most enchanting and inspiring movies I've seen in many, many years. Many strong similarities with BABETTE'S FEAST, but here the characters are given so much more depth including the complicated love/hate relationship between two brothers. One brother is unable to compromise his gift for superior food preparation, the other more practical brother simply hopes to be able to pay his bills by pleasing his customers (even if they're looking for a simple plate of spaghetti with meatballs.) Two world views that won't mesh well. A brilliant premise and it's also a genuine pleasure to watch this grand assembly of actors and actresses who continue to impress in later films. BUt, whatever greatness has followed in their individual careers, BIG NIGHT will never be topped. A perfect movie if ever there was one.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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15	#15 Best Movie of 1996
56	#56 Most Discussed Movie of 1996
62	#62 Most Shared Movie of 1996