Review of Big Night (1996) by Timothy J — 10 Apr 2014

I almost didn't watch this all the way through because it wasn't funny enough. I toughed it out, and I'm glad I did, because the ending, everything that happens from the time the big dinner starts, was superb. It was worth the wait to see Shaloub and Tucci fighting like girls, and Ian Holm's scenery-chewing performance.

I watch movies not for the plot, but for the language and the actors' performances. Five stars there. But the characters are not very likable, and the movie's very slow.

However, everyone who delivers Italian dialogue nails it, and it sounds great. The shifting back and forth from Italian to English is pretty contrived. Why would two Italian immigrant brothers speak English to each other when they're tired at the end of the day?

So, Big Night is worth the viewing if you're a Stanley Tucci fan, like the Jersey Shore in the 40â??s, or if you're a major foodie. Otherwise, I don't think most people would pay to see this one.