Big Night -- What Makes This Movie Great? (Episode 8)

This movie reminds me of my teenage years and working for a movie theater. I truly thought it would of been a boring movie. But one night while closing the theater I watched it and thought it was amazing!! The breakfast part is my favorite scene 😋

Author — @mikeyg6631

Love love love this film. Every actor is top-shelf with fantastic performances. This was my first experience with Shaloub, before he became more a household name. Watching him in this, you would swear he was just some Italian chef they hired to play this part. I cannot love this film enough.

Author — @2Chickaboom2

The film and what it embodies is well and truly inspirational. The cuisine in our household is mainly Italian/Mediterranean along with some German from my family's heritage. My paternal grandfather was a gifted butcher/sausage maker in Berlin and later in America.. In 1998 we did a "Big Night" at our home. I had never cooked for fifteen people let alone a properly Italian meal-structured affair. Antipasto, Primo, Secondo/Contorno, Dolce! We carefully shopped for days. Only the very best ingredients would do. The actual preparations started on the Wednesday before the Saturday night affair. A restauranteur owner/dear friend actually booked off his busy Saturday evening so he could lend an experienced hand and cool mind in the kitchen. The Antipasto was selected Italian sliced meats and cheeses. The Talleggio cheese was seductive. Chewy, crusty lovely Italian bread was ever-present throughout. At the table, the Primo was cheese ravioli with a simple fresh home made tomato sauce followed by a classic Vitello (Veal) Tonnato. A small dish of lemon ice (purchased) cleansed the palate. The Secondo/Contorno was from Lombardy, Veal Osso Bucco paired with Risotto alla Milanese and seasoned green beans. Dolce was Mocha Crema Caramela (a coffee flavored flan). Coffee. Fueled by much wine and great guests, the converstion and endless laughter lasted late into the night and early hours. Among the guests were two couples both with deep strong Italian roots. One readily accepted and added: "May I bring my accordion?" I replied, "You need an answer?". He did and it was huge well-received gift. The other young couple were born in the old country and came to Canada to raise a family and make a new start with new opportunities. In the Autumn they make heir own superb wine, from family-crushed grapes. Vincenzo is an expert tile tradesman. Ida taught Italian language and cuisine at the secondary school level. Ida remarked that no one had ever invited them into their home and cooked Italian for them. She was seated to my left that evening. At some point, with the meal well underway, Ida leaned over and said, sotto voce, "This is as good as family". I keep this endearing comment with me and respect it for the unique treasure it is. Ciao bella!

Author — @billkunze2001

I was kinda watching Stanley Tucci cruising Italy on CNN, and then I switched channels and then I landed on a channel that was playing a movie where Stanley Tucci plays an Italian restaurant owner. I don't believe in coincidences, but I do believe in heavenly spaghetti together with the magic of risotto and meatballs !!!

Author — @Machinedead

Thanks for the review. I can't wait to watch this! Can't believe we hadn't heard of it before.

Author — @dogsareprecious4842

Ian Holm has one of the best performed lines in the movie. When he's playing the piano after the dinner, he says in a rather somber tone, "I used to play." That one brief line, delivered as it was, told me everything I needed to know about Pascal.

Author — @mfinn5146

I love this movie and have watched it over and over. It is rich on so many levels. I watch it every now and then and will continue to do so. It's like coming home.

Author — @teresag.1662

I got to share this movie with some very good friends. The fellow is from Rome. He was captivated by the whole film. It was great to learn about some of the phrases and subtleties. The woman also looks so much like Ann the flower lady; and my friend actually has worked with the actress! It was such a treat to share my favorite film with friends with such a connection to the story in many ways. A true masterpiece film. I’ve seen it many times and it is always a pleasure. A similar film in tone is Local Hero.

Author — @TalkShowKelly

Great, great, review of this film. It's still one of my favourite movies. It's so layered and textured, the acting and the writing is absolutely top notch.

Author — @venetianlucifer

Watched this last night for the first time. My wife was full of questions after…did the brothers work it out? Did they go back to Italy, stay in America or part ways? The end leaves this unresolved, yet her conclusion was, with the brothers’ putting their arms on each others’ shoulders, it was going to all be ok, even if the restaurant would fail. My 20 year old son just said, “that was a great last scene!”

Author — @2uiator325

That final scene, no dialog, yet says SO much... brilliant...

Author — @richardclegg5853

This is one of my favorite movies! Awesome! Thank you for sharing.😊

Author — @jenjackson5544

Some years ago, my (then) wife and I decided to have a "Big night" dinner party with 5 other cpls invited to a) watch the movie, b) dress in the period, and c) bring ingredients for Primo and Secundo to prepare in our kitchen. 20 years later, we randomly recall that 'big night' experience as most memorable for all of us. It is more than a great movie. PS - being Irish, my friend C Carcano was Primo. ♥☺

Author — @TheWillmo65

I saw this in the theaters in 1996, and about a year ago I found a pristine DVD at a garage sale for a couple of bucks (had to contain myself from reacting).

I'm a DVD/Blu collector. This DVD is almost impossible to find in US format, so be careful buying this on Ebay or anywhere else online.

The final scene is one of my all-time favorites, in its simplicity and acting (without acting).

All of the actors are great, but Tucci and Shaloub are pretty much flawless here.

Author — @tobinhays652

I recently watched this movie and I loved it. It’s definitely in the classic style that I love. One of my favorite movies is Sunset Boulevard and this movie is up there.

Author — @jonhenning

I absolutely loved this movie. It an old style story central movies. It has no F/X and is wonderful. I almost wish it was filmed in BW.

Author — @jonhenning

great video! Makes me want to see it again. Not sure why I didn't care for it first time around. Looks great!

Author — @RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

Among the many unresolved questions is the story of the young man who sticks with the two brothers through thick and thin. Is he a relative? How can he be getting by, financially, working at a restaurant that cannot be paying him very much? Exiting after breakfast, where does he go at the end of the film? He gets virtually no praise nor recognition, yet without behind-the-scenes workers no restaurant can survive.

Author — @peterparziale2404

Never heard of this movie. Im definitely gonna check this out❤❤❤

Author — @susanburgess820

My favourite movie…thanks for this review!!!

Author — @balgrantango460