Big Night

UPC: 043396810198

Studio: Columbia TriStar

MPAA Rating: R   Contains:[Adult Situations, Questionable for Children]

Summary: In this witty drama, a pair of brothers debate integrity versus compromise as they try to succeed in the restaurant business. Primo (Tony Shalhoub) and Secondo (Stanley Tucci) have journeyed from Italy to New Jersey in the mid-1950s, determined to make a killing with an authentic Italian restaurant, The Paradise. But their food is a bit too authentic; Primo may prepare a superb risotto, but most of his customers are wondering why they can't get a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs. Secondo tries to convince his brother not to berate the customers for requesting more "American" dishes, but Primo stands firm. Meanwhile, Pascal (Ian Holm), another local restaurateur, is doing great business with "Italian style" food the brothers wouldn't bother to spit on. Despite Primo's refusal to change his recipes to cater to lowbrow tastes, Secondo goes to Pascal begging for advice. With The Paradise on its last legs, Pascal offers to help -- Louis Prima, the famous Italian-American bandleader, is coming to town, and Pascal is to arrange a banquet in his honor. He'll stage the banquet at The Paradise in the hopes that Prima and his entourage (and hopefully the accompanying press) will fall in love with the authentic food and sing the praises of the foundering restaurant as he tours the country. The preparations for the big night and the behind-the-scenes family drama that ensues is highlighted by a strong supporting cast of Minnie Driver, Isabella Rossellini, and Allison Janney. Stanley Tucci, who plays Secondo, co-directed with Campbell Scott, who has a small but memorable role as a car salesman. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Category: Comedy Drama

Awards: Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award – Sundance Film Festival Best First Feature – Independent Spirit Awards Best First Screenplay – Independent Spirit Awards Best First Screenplay – Independent Spirit Awards Best Actor – Independent Spirit Awards Best Actor – Independent Spirit Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion – National Society of Film Critics Best Screenplay (Runner-up) – National Society of Film Critics Best Screenplay (Runner-up) – National Society of Film Critics Best New Director – New York Film Critics Circle Best New Director – New York Film Critics Circle Film Presented – Berlin International Film Festival Best Supporting Actor – National Society of Film Critics

Features: Subtitles: English, Spanish
Theatrical trailer
Scene selections
Widescreen format

Big Night

Format: Digital Video Disc (DVD)

Release Date: 02/24/1998

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Theatre Wide-Screen

Audio: DDS Dolby Digital Surround

Runtime: 109 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English

Subtitles: English,Spanish

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: Side #1 --
0. Scene Selections
1. Start [3:19]
2. Open for business [1:36]
3. "Is this what I ordered?" [3:50]
4. At the bank [5:35]
5. Business across the street [2:07]
6. Alberto [1:47]
7. Phyllis [4:36]
8. At Pascal's [9:44]
9. "Louis Prima's coming." [1:09]
10. Ann [3:21]
11. Need help? [:59]
12. Their last chance [1:58]
13. Pots,pans,and pasta [1:39]
14. Booze call [1:08]
15. Gabriella [3:12]
16. Next year's Cadillac [4:24]
17. Pascal stops by [5:01]
18. Calling Uncle Paolo [:58]
19. Secondo invites Ann [1:02]
20. The Maestro returns [2:26]
21. Phyllis returns [2:22]
22. The party begins [3:20]
23. Buona Sera [1:35]
24. Pascal & Gabriella arrive [2:33]
25. Kitchen of love [1:49]
26. Phyllis & Gabriella [2:08]
27. Mambo Italiano [2:40]
28. Dinner is served [8:48]
29. Ring game [1:54]
30. "No one is coming" [1:54]
31. On the beach [11:24]
32. Breakfast [5:21]
33. End Credits [3:12]

Matthew Doberman

By the end of Stanley Tucci and Campbell Scott's Big Night, you might have the desire to cook like an artist, or at least the desire to promptly head to the nearest authentic Italian restaurant. Tucci and Tony Shalhoub are perfect as the film's sibling restaurateurs forced to confront the reality of a failed American dream. Tucci wrote the script with his cousin Joseph Tropiano, cooking up a wonderfully emotional, personal story full of real characters with real problems. Though the film tells a small story, there are big themes: loyalty, trust, and the need to value integrity over vulgar expedience. Tucci holds the proceedings together, but like the climactic feast itself, the movie is populated with rich supporting moments: Isabella Rosellini, Minnie Driver, Ian Holm and even co-director Scott turn up to add color to the character-driven script. ~ Matthew Doberman, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Jonathan Filley  Producer 
Campbell Scott  Director 
Stanley Tucci  Director 
Stanley Tucci  Screenwriter 
David Kirkpatrick  Producer 
Keith Samples  Producer 
Joseph Tropiano  Screenwriter 
Gary De Michele  Composer (Music Score) 
Stanley Tucci  Actor 
Tony Shalhoub  Actor 
Minnie Driver  Actor 
Ian Holm  Actor 
Isabella Rossellini  Actor 
Allison Janney  Actor 
Campbell Scott  Actor 
Marc Anthony  Actor 

Country: USA