Review of Big Night (1996) by Teddy B — 16 Jan 2009

This movie is great. It is about a 50s restaurant that two brothers own and they are to have one last attempt to make it in the restaurant biz, one last "big night" in which Louis Prima is going to attend.

Everyone who eats at this unknown restaurant is blown away by the genius of the chef (one of the brothers-Shaloub), but that is the problem, NOBODY knows about it, yet a big "Olive Garden" type restaurant down the block is always popular and their food is totally just average.

There is a scene where they are making a coveted traditional family secret recipe (Timpano) that can be ruined if the cook time is off a bit...and the build up during the feast to that dish and then when they finally bring it out made the entire theater's collective mouth's water...Everyone actually groaned with pleasure when this happened.

There is an underlying 'dig' at Hollywood in that the big budget uncreative movies get all the hype and screen time where as the very creative and thought out indy films get snubbed and no recognition.

The last scene after the brothers had their fight is one of my favorite endings in a movie. The reaction by the busboy is perfect and it is just an incredible moment and ending.

Any other ending would have been subpar.