THE BIG NIGHT - REVIEW

Year: 1996 (Release date: 01/24/1996

Director: Campbell Scott & Stanley Tucci

Actors: Stanley Tucci – Tony Shalhoub – Ian Holm – Isabella Rossellini – Minnie Driver – Marc Anthony

This movie takes place in United States. Primo and Secondo are brothers that moved from Italy to United States seeking for new opportunities and a better life. They own an Italian restaurant located in an Italian neighborhood. They are about to close down their business because they cannot keep it running any longer. They are almost bankrupt.

Right in the corner, there is another Italian restaurant that is a complete success. Secondo knows the owner, Pascal, and he goes to visit him in order to ask for a loan but he gets nothing but the contact of Louis Prima that might give him the money he so desperately needs.

Primo and Secondo decide to throw a party and to invite Louis Prima. They arrange everything for the Big Night. In the meantime, both brothers encounter some problems but in the end, they get along just fine. The moment arrives. The place is full. However, hours go by, but the guest of honor does not arrive.

They decide to begin without him. They first serve “la zuppa” which is an absolute success. Then, “il primo piatto” which consists of 3 different kinds of risotto. After that, “il timpano” (a secret recipe from their hometown). Later, “il secondo piatto” (chicken, fish, pork). The guests area absolutely delighted and simply astonished. They were enjoying their best meal ever. Finally, “I dolci”.

At the end of the party, they find out that Louis Prima was never supposed to come because he was never invited in the first place. Secondo’s girlfriend finds out that he was cheating on her with Gabriella and she leaves him. Primo confesses to Secondo that an uncle of theirs was offering them a job in a restaurant back in Rome. Secondo will not leave. He would rather stay in the States because he still believes he can succeed.

The movie ends with both brothers in their restaurant’s kitchen having a what-could-be, their last breakfast together.

It is a good movie. A little bit slow at the beginning but it gets better. The scenes in which they prepare the meal are completely amazing, they just give you the desire to be there so as to taste those dishes.