BIG NIGHT

SYNOPSIS: A failing Italian restaurant run by two brothers gambles on one special night to try to save the business.

BOTTOM LINE: Tucci and Shalhoub are perfectly cast as two brothers from Northern Italy, Primo and Secondo, trying to make it as restranteurs in 1950's New York. Their food is superb, but strange to the locals who think all Italian food comes covered in marinara sauce. Primo recognizes his brother's culinary genius, but Secondo's implacability regarding the menu is killing the business. That and the extremely popular red sauce restaurant right up the street owned by their supposed mentor Pascal (Holm). At the end of their monetary rope, Primo plans the dinner of the year in honor of jazz musician Louis Prima, whom Pascal promises will attend. The subsequent publicity and word of mouth from the star is meant to put their little restaurant on the map. Though stressed to the max, they pull off a feast of epic proportions, one their guest will never forget – nor will you. The meal sequence is the best part of the film, causing the mouth to water and the spirit to yearn for an experience as scrumptious and downright fun. The evening doesn't quite turn out as they plan, but in the end solidifies their relationship and renews their hope in their American dream. BIG NIGHT is a wonderful character piece, with star turns by Shalhoub and Tucci, that touches the heart and stimulates the soul. A small film that achieves its' large aspirations and one you should not go into hungry.