Big Night
1996 · Movie · R · 109 min · ★ 7.0 · 89% critics
Two immigrant brothers run a struggling Italian restaurant and pin their hopes on a special banquet to honor a famous singer. With their livelihoods on the line, they try to turn one big night into the chance to bring in customers and keep the restaurant alive.
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Details
- Years
- 1996
- Release date
- 1996-09-20
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 109 min
- Critic score
- 89/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.0/10 (275 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy Big Night if you like warm, character-driven stories with festive meals and family tension; Not for you if you need constant action or prefer heavier plot momentum like Grosse Pointe Blank or The Dinner with Andre.
Pros: delicious, cozy atmosphere; strong ensemble cast; witty, heartfelt writing | Cons: pacing feels slow; some find it aimless; limited setting
Themes
- immigrant
- new jersey
- jazz
- restaurant
- food
- car salesman
- italian restaurant
- feast
- 1950s
- italian cuisine
Awards & recognition
- The Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award · 1996
Cast & crew
Minnie Driver
as Phyllis
Ian Holm
as Pascal
Isabella Rossellini
as Gabriella
Tony Shalhoub
as Primo
Stanley Tucci
as Secondo
Caroline Aaron
as Woman in Restaurant
Marc Anthony
as Cristiano
Allison Janney
as Ann
- LB
Larry Block
as Man in Restaurant
- AB
Andre Belgrader
as Stash
Directed by Stanley Tucci, Campbell Scott