Big Night
|
Our Price: $69.95 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $24.99 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Canada
Movie Reviews of Big Night
Movie Review: Hungry? You will be.
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Movie Review: You CAN smell the food while watching
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Movie Review: Unforgettable...
Summary: 5 Stars
Good films are unforgettable... and here's one. On the surface it's a quirky little story about two Italian brothers running a restaurant in New Jersey in the 1950's. One is ridiculously passionate about cooking superb food while the other tries to make his brother's passion commercially viable despite the fact that customers don't want what he cooks. Both are up against their more successful Italian neighbour who gives the customers exactly what they want. Not much then... but it's what goes on beneath this deceptively simple tale that makes it so good.
The tense, sincere and often very funny interactions between the two brothers are so believable that they make you really want them to succeed with the "Big Night" on which the future of their restaurant and their relationship depends. Against this background, the preparation of the dishes themselves becomes an all-consuming event, infused with the drama and expectation of a chef in full flight cooking, of necessity, the meal of his life. And, the subtle plot with its inevitable denouement is understated and, as a result, extremely effective.
Brilliantly acted, charming and, in the end, quite moving, "Big Night" is a superbly reflective exploration into the dreams & hopes of two immigrants in an alien world where their values don't apply and where this threatens to destroy the most important relationship they have. Over-hyped on its release and now increasingly forgotten it's an unmissable gem of a film.
Movie Review: Chef John at foodwishes.com says:
Summary: 5 Stars
When a chef recommends a restaurant you know that it's a good place to eat, and when a chef recommends a food film... Chef John over at Foodwishes.com has this to say about the movie:
"I've probably watched it over 30 times. I consider it the best restaurant movie ever made, and no movie that I've seen before or since has captured the experience of the food business so brilliantly as this one. The film is the story of two Italian brothers who own a restaurant called "Paradise". Primo (played by Tony Shalhoub), is an intense, passionate chef who can't cope with his customers' expectations of "real" (Americanized) Italian food. The other brother, Secondo (played by Stanley Tucci), is the restaurant manager, who is in a constant battle with his brother over the balance between making money, and staying true to their culinary roots.
This is a great movie, even if you are not a "foodie," as its very funny, sweet, sad, and has an amazing sound track of music from that period. Also, any movie with Isabella Rossellini is worth seeing, and try and see if you can identify the busboy who later (in real life) goes on to have quite a successful music career. Anyone thinking of going to culinary school and/or starting a restaurant, should be made to watch this movie first. It gives such a perfect study of the agony and ecstasy of the restaurant experience."
Movie Review: The Fountainhead in restaurant form
Summary: 5 Stars
If I could give this movie 6 stars I would. The movie is truly made for someone like me though, as I am a chef and have a philosophy similar to Objectivism.
The movie is basically a tug-a-war between two different philosophies. Tony Shalhoub's character Primo represents the uncompromising visionary, who believes that you should just make the product exceptional & in everyway perfect regardless of the ends. His work is his reason for being. It is everything that makes his life worth living. He says, "If I sacrifice my work, it dies. It is better that I die."
Stanley Tucci's character Secondo represents the business-minded approach of giving the customer what he wants. It doesn't matter if you sacrifice your work, if that is what will determine your success. Work is only a means to an end. You feel his stress of being so close to bankruptcy the whole movie. You feel his desire to be successful, to have the beautiful women and the nice cars.
Even though these two philosophies are at odds, you sympathize with both. You understand both. It is noble and filling to be ideal, though it can be very hard and lead to ruin. And being pragmatic makes life easier, though it gives you no meaning.
A truly excellent film.