Big Night (1996)
91%RT Audience Score: 84%
Awards & Nominations: 9 wins & 17 nominations
The performances in Big Night are wonderful, and the food looks delicious.
If you’re looking for a movie that will make you drool, “Big Night” is the one for you. This film is like a love letter to food, with every dish looking so delicious that you’ll want to reach through the screen and take a bite. But it’s not just about the food – the story is heartwarming and funny, with a fantastic cast that brings it all to life. Stanley Tucci is a standout, both as an actor and co-writer of the script. If you’re a foodie or just love a good movie, “Big Night” is a must-watch. Just make sure you have some snacks on hand, or you’ll be left feeling hungry!
Production Company(ies)
Greenwich Film Productions,
Distributor
Samuel Goldwyn Company
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
32 Broad Street, Keyport, New Jersey, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language
Year of Release
1996
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:DTS Dolby
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 47m
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Language(s):English, Italian
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jan 24, 1996 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 7, 1998
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Tony Shalhoub, Stanley Tucci, Minnie Driver, Ian Holm, Isabella Rossellini, Marc Anthony, directed by Campbell Scott, Stanley Tucci, written by Joseph Tropiano, Stanley Tucci, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Lisa Schwarzbaum, Roger Moore, David Ansen, Nell Minow, Desson Thomson, MPAA rating R, produced by Jonathan Filley, chef, restaurant, Italian-American, immigrant, New Jersey, authentic food, local tastes, struggling, famous bandleader, important meal, fate of restaurant, family, relationships, dedication, business world, food movie, quirky brothers, mega meal, celebrity endorsement, charming, delightful, heartwarming
Worldwide gross: $12,008,376
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $22,920,934
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,667
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 2,499,557
US/Canada gross: $12,008,376
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $22,920,934
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,367
US/Canada opening weekend: $185,749
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $354,548
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,484
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $4,100,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $7,825,857
Production budget ranking: 1,762
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $4,214,224
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $10,880,853
ROI to date (est.): 90%
ROI ranking: 977
Ian Holm – Pascal
Isabella Rossellini – Gabriella
Tony Shalhoub – Primo
Stanley Tucci – Secondo
Marc Anthony – Cristiano
Director(s)
Campbell Scott, Stanley Tucci
Writer(s)
Joseph Tropiano, Stanley Tucci
Producer(s)
Jonathan Filley
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
9 wins & 17 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (57) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (55) | Rotten (2)
September 7, 2011 | Rating: A
Lisa Schwarzbaum
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
May 13, 2009 | Rating: 4/5
Roger Moore
Orlando Sentinel
TOP CRITIC
An actor for sophisticated palates, Tucci’s too good to stay obscure any longer.
March 31, 2008
David Ansen
Newsweek
TOP CRITIC
April 18, 2003 | Rating: 4/5
Nell Minow
Movie Mom
TOP CRITIC
A charming, delicate repast prepared by Stanley Tucci and Campbell Scott.
April 7, 2003
Desson Thomson
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
A small movie — and that’s its subtle charm.
June 18, 2002 | Rating: 3/4
Peter Stack
San Francisco Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
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.
December 20, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
James Croot
Stuff.co.nz
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.
September 29, 2016 | Rating: 4.5/5
Nick Rogers
The Film Yap
Delicious adult fare sure to leave you hungry.
December 18, 2010 | Rating: 4/5
Heather Boerner
Common Sense Media
December 8, 2007 | Rating: 4/5
John A. Nesbit
Old School Reviews
A triumph for everyone involved, but especially for Stanley Tucci.
July 23, 2007 | Rating: 5/5
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com
A lyrical love poem to food and family (or is it family or food?), this serio comedy joins the company of other fun movies about eating, such as Babette’s Feast and Like Water for Chocolate.
April 13, 2006 | Rating: 4/5
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com…
Plot
Primo and Secondo are two brothers who have emigrated from Italy to open an Italian restaurant in America. Primo is the irascible and gifted chef, brilliant in his culinary genius, but determined not to squander his talent on making the routine dishes that customers expect. Secondo is the smooth front-man, trying to keep the restaurant financially afloat, despite few patrons other than a poor artist who pays with his paintings. The owner of the nearby Pascal’s restaurant, enormously successful (despite its mediocre fare), offers a solution, he will call his friend, a big-time jazz musician, to play a special benefit at their restaurant. Primo begins to prepare his masterpiece, a feast of a lifetime, for the brothers’ big night.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Stanley Tucci co-wrote and co-directed the film with Campbell Scott.
Campbell-Scott.jpg
