Big Night (1996)
This tightly wound dramedy is a tale of two restaurants, two brothers, and two women. Set in the 1950s, the script was written by Stanley Tucci and Joseph Tropiano, and centres around a desperate attempt to save a family eaterie by enlisting the help of an enemy.
Primo (Tony Shalhoub) is a perfectionist chef, filled with fiery passion for fine Italian food. Secondo (Stanley Tucci) is his younger brother – a businessman by nature, eager to make his way in American culture. Together they run a restaurant named Paradise, which is in competition with the local Pascal’s, run by Pascal himself (Ian Holm).
To complicate matters further, Secondo is having an affair with Pascal’s wife (Isabella Rossellini), despite having a long-term girlfriend (Minnie Driver) to whom he cannot commit. When the brothers are finally forced to accept the fact that their restaurant is failing, Secondo turns to Pascal for a financial loan. Refusing, Pascal instead offers to help by arranging for the famous Italian-American singer Louis Prima to dine at Paradise. Believing the plan will work, the two brothers set about preparing for their big night – not realizing the realities that are about to unfold.
Big Night received many awards nominations – including for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Stanley Tucci, Campbell Scott and Joseph Tropiano also won a number of Critics awards, and an Independent Spirit Award for their work on the film – and for good reason. Big Night presents a story steeped in conflict, illustrated across a vast buffet table by the clash of authentic Italian food with the homogenized, Americanized version of the same. The passion for food clashes with the passion for commercial success, and the attempt to promote something real and original clashes with the propensity to desire something bland and familiar. Every relationship and battle in the film is reflected in that central food-based theme, which makes for a deeply nourishing experience for the audience.
Published: May 20, 2014 01:12 pm