Big Night

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Big Night

R

1996

1h 47m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

57 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Chef Primo and businessman Secondo are immigrant brothers from Italy who open their dream restaurant, Paradise, in New Jersey. However, Primo's authentic food is too unfamiliar for the local tastes, and the restaurant is struggling. When famous Italian-American bandleader Louis Prima is scheduled to appear at Paradise, the two brothers put all of their efforts into the important meal, which will likely decide the fate of their restaurant.

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Critics Consensus

The performances in Big Night are wonderful, and the food looks delicious.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Mar 31, 2008

An actor for sophisticated palates, Tucci's too good to stay obscure any longer.

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Desson Thomson

Washington Post

Apr 7, 2003

A charming, delicate repast prepared by Stanley Tucci and Campbell Scott.

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Peter Stack

San Francisco Chronicle

Jun 18, 2002

3/4

A small movie -- and that's its subtle charm.

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Diana Tuova

Spotlight on Film

Aug 2, 2024

4/5

The actors do a phenomenal job, and because the film never takes itself seriously, it soon morphs into something adorable, touching and "deliciously" random (or randomly "delicious"?).

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James Croot

The Post NZ

Dec 20, 2021

4/5

Tucci and Joseph Tropiano's script is filled with memorable moments, the escalating farce beautifully combining with some witty one-liners, all delivered by magnificent ensemble.

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Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

Sep 29, 2016

4.5/5

It will send your salivary glands into Tex Avery territory, but "Big Night" is layered with the delicacy, care & closely guarded alchemy of a family recipe - evolving beyond food as emotional or communicative currency into something more bittersweet.

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ken

Nov 8, 2022

good acting and enjoyed the cooking scenes too

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Spencer P

@s_plewe Aug 9, 2026

Tony Shalhoub and Stanley Tucci give endearing performances as struggling restaurateurs, and the food is an alluring diversion, but the film overall is a bit more incomprehensible than desired.

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Carolyn N

@PonySoldier Jul 22, 2026

I bypassed this movie for years because I didn't know Stanley Tucci was in it. He is the real star of the movie and as usual, he is superb. I enjoyed the human element involving Italian brothers, running a restaurant and the difficulties of family and business--Interesting cooking scenes sprinkled with romantic endevers and a dash of humour.

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Henry D

@Henry_Domke Jul 13, 2026

A mixed impression. There were many appealing actors and some fine cooking scenes, but the directing often seemed uncertain. About 20 percent of the dialogue was in Italian without subtitles, which left us wondering what we were missing. The pacing also varied wildly, sometimes lively and sometimes much too slow. The print was disappointing as well. Parts of it looked closer to standard definition than HD, so the image often appeared soft on our big screen.

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Scott B

@chefscottpblackerby Dec 24, 2025

Quite possibly the only "chef" movie that I have been able to sit through. It contains deep characters and a compelling story as well as a true understanding of the technical dimensions of any professional culinarian.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Nov 3, 2025

Success in 1 hour and 47 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Copyright 2010-2025 by Amazon MGM Studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Campbell Scott

Director

Stanley Tucci

Director

Minnie Driver

Phyllis

Ian Holm

Pascal

Isabella Rossellini

Gabriella

Tony Shalhoub

Primo

Big Night: Official Clip - I Should Kill You

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Big Night: Official Clip - Let's Eat

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Big Night: Official Clip - I Make Fun

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Big Night: Official Clip - Brotherly Fight

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Big Night: Official Clip - I Have Nothing

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Big Night: Official Clip - It's About Money

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Big Night: Official Clip - We Will Foreclose

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Big Night: Official Clip - I Want a Cowboy

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Big Night: Official Clip - Can We Talk About It?

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Synopsis

Chef Primo and businessman Secondo are immigrant brothers from Italy who open their dream restaurant, Paradise, in New Jersey. However, Primo's authentic food is too unfamiliar for the local tastes, and the restaurant is struggling. When famous Italian-American bandleader Louis Prima is scheduled to appear at Paradise, the two brothers put all of their efforts into the important meal, which will likely decide the fate of their restaurant.

Director: Campbell Scott, Stanley Tucci
Producer: Jonathan Filley
Screenwriter: Joseph Tropiano, Stanley Tucci
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Company
Production Co: Rysher Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 24, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 21, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.0M
Runtime: 1h 47m

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