IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > Big Night (1996)
Big Night
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Big Night (1996) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 32 | slideshow) Videos
Big Night (1996) -- A failing Italian restaurant run by two brothers gambles on one special night to try to save the business.

Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   7,110 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 11% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers:
Joseph Tropiano (writer)
Stanley Tucci (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Big Night on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
20 September 1996 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
In love and life, one big night can change everything.
Plot:
A failing Italian restaurant run by two brothers gambles on one special night to try to save the business. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
8 wins & 12 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(41 articles)
Melrose Place: Cahuenga - open thread
 (From AOL - TVSquad. 18 November 2009, 10:02 AM, PST)

After Challenging Year, Denver Film Festival Sets 2009 Event
 (From indieWIRE. 26 October 2009, 3:15 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
A feast more (70 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Marc Anthony ... Cristiano

Tony Shalhoub ... Primo

Stanley Tucci ... Secondo
Larry Block ... Man in Restaurant
Caroline Aaron ... Woman in Restaurant
Andre Belgrader ... Stash

Minnie Driver ... Phyllis
Peter McRobbie ... Loan Officer

Isabella Rossellini ... Gabriella

Liev Schreiber ... Leo
Pasquale Cajano ... Alberto N. Pisani
Christine Tucci ... Woman Singer
Gene Canfield ... Charlie

Ian Holm ... Pascal

Allison Janney ... Ann
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for language.
Runtime:
107 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The woman singing in the competing restaurant is played by Christine Tucci, who is 'Stanley Tucci''s sister. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Secundo's arm when talking to Phyllis in the car. more
Quotes:
Secondo: Primo, do you know why this night is happening?
Primo: No.
Secondo: Because it has to happen.
more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Mambo Italiano more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
10 out of 13 people found the following comment useful.
A feast, 19 March 1999
10/10
Author: Sean Gallagher (naes@cgocable.net) from Oakville, Ont. Canada

When the British film magazine Sight & Sound had one of their periodic times of asking critics to list what they thought were the best films ever made, there was a book which collected articles by several of them, one of whom said that if you were the type of person who didn't tear up at THE BELLS OF ST. MARY'S, he didn't want to know you. I try to avoid that philosophy, but if I endorsed it, BIG NIGHT would be that type of film for me, a litmus test. This is a wonderful movie, and I usually am not a big fan of food movies. I thought BABETTE'S FEAST was too full of whimsy, and whimsy also bogged down the often good TAMPOPO(EAT DRINK MAN WOMAN, it could be argued, was a relationship movie which happened to be set in the world of food, where the others are inextricably food movies). But this was wonderful.

Tucci and Scott said they studied a lot of film masters, and it shows here; there's nothing that screams "first film." Instead, they take their time telling the story, and setting up characters we care about, even Pascal, the rival restaurant owner. And a lesser movie wouldn't have had the scene between Isabella Rosellini and Minnie Driver which is quiet yet moving, like the rest of the movie. The food scenes live up to the hype, and that final scene is moving.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (70 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Big Night (1996)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Post if you love good food... happiscotsman
Pascal and Gabriella? BrionyTallis
Waiting for Godot? littleteakettle
Burning paper scene at end of meal - how to do it yourself slbinder2000
Absolutely Cr*p kalidor-2
I can't believe I cooked the whole thing roark-12
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Looking for Palladin My Own Private Idaho Ossessione Mio fratello è figlio unico The Puffy Chair
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.