Big Night
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Movie Reviews of Big Night
Movie Review: "Louis Prima, Where Are You?"
Summary: 5 Stars
This wonderful film, set in pre-Julia Child America, captures perfectly the enduring conflict in this country between quality and the pandering to the lack of it. Many other countries, which have taught their citizens standards of excellence, assume that what is most popular will therefore be the best; thus, for example, even a Tokyo cabdriver knows that sushi is undeniably superior to beef bowl. Amusingly, many Japanese tourists to the States falsely assume as a consequence that certain fast food restaurants here must feature the best American food because they are the most popular. "Big Night" exposes the fallacy in such thinking. It is Ian Holm's vulgar spaghetti factory which is the financial success, not the restaurant where the foodie artist Tony Shaloub cooks, a bistro which features magnificent cuisine beyond the average 50's American person's palate. What the film shows is that an unpopular artist may be above the average person's taste instead of necessarily below it. What an insult to the democratic dogma!
As a film documenting the discerning immigrant experience in a less discerning America, "Big Night" is a comic gem.
Movie Review: One great film...
Summary: 5 Stars
Big Night, since it's theatrical release, has slyly slipped into my list of favorite movies. Written and directed by Stanley Tucci and Cambell Scott, two fairly well accomplished actors who also show up in the film. Still despite an ensemble cast, the real star of this film is their great screenplay. Stanley Tucci plays Secondo, the younger of two Italian brothers who have immigrated to New York in the 50's, and have started an authentic Italian restarant that struggles by being across the street from a much more popular and successful mainstream restarant. Tony Shalhoub, one of today's greatest character actors, steals many of the scenes, as the pedantic older brother and master chef, Primo.
Again there are great performances by many actors, Ian Holm, Isabella Rossellini, Minnie Driver and even pop singer Marc Anthony appears as the bus boy, the first character you see in the film.
The characters are realistic, the audience is never patronized, and the story flows very well. The soundtrack is amazing and plays an important role in this film. Especially watch for the last scene, a long uncut scene with almost no dialogue.
Movie Review: What a delight - but eat before you watch it
Summary: 5 Stars
Eat before you watch this movie; otherwise, you'll end up painfully hungry and go stuff yourself with every bit of Italian food you can lay your hands on.This is a simple story of two brothers struggling to fulfill their dreams - one to be a "success" in America; the other to be a great Italian chef.
Realizing the dreams of the first brother hinges on the success of one important meal depends on the skill of the second - and forces outside their control.
Tucci, Shaloub, Holm and company all give wonderful performances. There's no showing off by the many successful actors who are in this movie - they all just do a great job.
The climax of the movie is the banquet scene, and it's going to make you hungry and want to get up and dance.
The final scene which lasts for several minutes with the only dialog being one line - "are you hungry" - wraps up the movie nicely, and shows what a good director and actors can do when both understand the power of subtlety.
This is one fun movie - lots of laughs, amazing food, and a great soundtrack.
Movie Review: What a great treat!
Summary: 5 Stars
I had never heard of this film...just chose it for the great cast. So it was a terrific surprise to find how good it was! I'm not a big foodie so that part of the film didn't entice me as much as the interesting story and wonderful performances.
I don't know who was better--Stanley Tucci or Tony Shalhoub?! Let's call it a draw. As brothers, recently in America from Italy, struggling to make a restaurant, they are heartwarmingly human. The rest of the cast is just as strong--Minnie Driver is wonderful as usual, Ian Holm gives another strong, interesting performance. Isabella Rosselini adds her own special charm. Then, there is an interesting appearance of Marc Anthony as a skinny busboy with not many lines. Interesting in the sense that he's now a big star musician in Latin American and married to Jennifer Lopez. Who knew?
This is not a blockbuster film but it's so meticulously done that you'll want to savor it over and over.
Movie Review: The main course of great moviemaking
Summary: 5 Stars
Big Night is one of those rare movies that really hits every right note in great filmmaking. It's a passionate and heartfelt movie about the bonds of family and the love of class that gives you a sense of majesty and flavor. Tony Shalhoub and Stanley Tucci, (Who by the way co-directed this film with Campbell Scott) Plays brothers who own a struggling Italian Restaurant who puts everything on the line for one big night to save their business. Primo (Tony Shalhoub) Rather live for his art for fine food than be successful, while Secondo (Stanley Tucci) tries to keep Primo and himself above water while being tempted by the extravagances of owning a successful Restaurant. An all around superb cast of characters backs them up in this journey that includes Mark Anthony as their loyal follow coworker, and Sir Ian Holms as an rival Restaurant owner who tries to help them out. This is a true heartfelt movie that should not be missed under any circumstance.