IMDb 7.3 1996 HD

Big Night

Big Night

1996
Comedy Drama Romance
109 min R USA
6.948 / 10
7.3 IMDB

Primo and Secondo, two immigrant brothers, pin their hopes on a banquet honoring Louis Prima to save their struggling restaurant.

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Stanley Tucci / Campbell Scott / Lisa Katcher
Starring
Minnie Driver / Ian Holm / Isabella Rossellini / Tony Shalhoub / Stanley Tucci / Caroline Aaron / Marc Anthony / Allison Janney

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

heartwarming poignant bittersweet authentic hopeful charming tense melancholic culinary character-driven passionate delicate

Reviews

S
Seraphina Croft
May 15, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

'Big Night' is a beautifully realised portrait of immigrant striving and culinary devotion. The story of brothers Primo and Secondo, whose restaurant’s fate rests on a single, grand banquet, is told with exquisite care. The ensemble cast, featuring…

A
Arthur Pendelton
May 15, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

A truly delectable cinematic offering, 'Big Night' serves up a rich tapestry of ambition, culture, and familial obligation. The narrative centres on two brothers, Primo and Secondo, whose Italian eatery faces closure, leading them to organise an elaborate…

G
Genevieve Dubois
May 15, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

This is a film that cooks up a compelling story with a lot of heart. The central premise of Primo and Secondo’s restaurant hanging in the balance, dependent on a single, spectacular banquet, provides ample dramatic tension. The…

M
Marcus Bellweather
May 15, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

'Big Night' is a film that truly savours its subject matter. The story of two brothers trying to save their restaurant through one pivotal, extravagant dinner is handled with remarkable grace. The performances are a standout, with Tony…

E
Eleanor Vance
May 15, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

Stanley Tucci and Campbell Scott's directorial debut, though uncredited here, is a masterclass in understated charm. The film centres on Primo and Secondo, brothers whose Italian restaurant is failing, pinning their hopes on a lavish banquet for Louis…

FAQs

The meticulous preparation for the banquet serves as the narrative engine of 'Big Night'. It's more than just a meal; it's a testament to Primo's culinary artistry and Secondo's business acumen, a last-ditch effort to save their livelihood. The detailed focus on every dish, every ingredient, and every logistical challenge underscores the brothers' profound commitment and the immense pressure they are under, transforming the act of cooking into a dramatic and thematic core.