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1996 107 min Samuel Goldwyn Company
`Big Night'' is a small movie -- and that's its subtle charm. Taking its sweet time to serve up a simple story, this modest gem delves into the lives of two Italian immigrant brothers who seek American-style success by opening a restaurant in New Jersey.
The brothers, played by Stanley Tucci (from TV's ``Murder One'') and Tony Shalhoub (``Wings''), have other ambitions, too -- they want to give real meaning to the Italian culture they love. But that love drives a bittersweet wedge between them.
``Big Night'' is both a delightful story and a great food movie that ranks with ``Like Water for Chocolate'' or ``Babette's Feast.'' When it serves up a centerpiece dinner party of extraordinary gastronomic creations, viewers may want to hit the exits in search of food.
The mildly amusing tale is set in the 1950s, when Italian restaurant fare meant spaghetti and meatballs, and Italian culture was popularly characterized as noisy, overdecorated and devoted to gold-plated schlock. Louis Prima's peppy singing and Rosemary Clooney's brash ``Mambo Italiano'' are on the soundtrack.
The movie mostly lets its small flavors -- a gesture, a look, a gorgeous platter of vegetables -- simmer.
--Peter Stack SF Chronicle
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