Big Night (1996): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Big Night is a 1996 drama starring Stanley Tucci and Tony Shalhoub. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes and earned $12 million worldwide. It won 1 award from 3 nominations, including Best First Screenplay at the Spirit Awards 1997. Critics gave it 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 47m (107 min)
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Samuel Goldwyn Company, The
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Big Night About?
The premise of Big Night without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Two Italian immigrant brothers, Primo and Secondo, work tirelessly to keep their Jersey Shore restaurant, Paradise, from closing. Facing financial hardship, they seize an opportunity to cater a lavish dinner party for singer Louis Prima and his orchestra. Determined to showcase their authentic cuisine and passion, the brothers prepare an elaborate and unforgettable meal, hoping it will be their last chance to save their dream.
Big Night Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- feast
- italian restaurant
- pursuit of american dream
- reference to louis prima
- timpano
- business competitor
- failing business
- back seamed stockings
- heels
- restaurant
- italian
- jazz
+38 more Show fewer
- chef
- corporate versus independent
- extramarital affair
- community
- art
- risotto
- italian art
- barber
- sarcasm
- open ended
- immigrant experience
- sibling rivalry
- liar
- reference to judas
- reference to the last supper
- long take
- reference to humphrey bogart
- banker
- adultery
- italian culture
- car salesman
- businessman
- written and directed by cast member
- wine
- waiter
- paradise
- omelet
- loan
- italian cuisine
- husband wife relationship
- dinner party
- dawn
- celebrity
- brother brother relationship
- boyfriend girlfriend relationship
- beach
- argument
- pasta
Big Night Cast
Stanley Tucci leads the cast, with Tony Shalhoub.
Big Night Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Big Night 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10.
-
IMDb 7.3 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 97% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 84%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 80 Metascore
User score 7.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 69% User score
See on TMDB
Big Night Plot Summary
What happens in Big Night from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
On the picturesque shores of New Jersey during the 1950s, two brothers from Calabria run a charming restaurant named Paradise. The elder brother, Primo, is a talented and meticulous chef who struggles against the disappointing expectations of their few customers who desire “Americanized” Italian dishes. As time passes, the prospect of returning to Rome to assist their uncle at his restaurant becomes increasingly appealing to Primo.
In contrast, the younger brother, Secondo, manages the restaurant and is captivated by the transformative promise of their American life. However, despite Secondo’s tireless efforts and Primo’s culinary brilliance, Paradise is unable to achieve the success it desperately needs.
Full summary
The whole story of Big Night, scene by scene
Big Night Box Office
Big Night grossed $12 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$12M
- US & Canada
- $12M
Big Night Awards & Nominations
Big Night won 1 award from 3 nominations, including Best First Screenplay at the Spirit Awards 1997.
1 win3 nominations1 ceremony
-
Spirit Awards 1997 1 win · 3 nominations- Won Best First Screenplay
- Nominated Best First Feature
- Nominated Best Male Lead – Tony Shalhoub and Stanley Tucci
Big Night Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Big Night.
How Well Do You Know Big Night?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the restaurant owned by Primo and Secondo?
Cars in Big Night
13 cars on screen, including the 1958 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Special and the 1953 Cadillac Series 62.
-
1958 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Special Important role -
1953 Cadillac Series 62 Important role -
1958 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Important role -
1951 Chevrolet Styleline De Luxe Important role
Big Night Also Known As
16 alternative titles, including “빅 나이트” and “A Grande Noite”.
- Also known as
-
- 빅 나이트
- A Grande Noite
- Den store kvelden
- Big Night - Nacht der Genüsse
- Big Night: Una gran noche
- La grande nuit
- Большая ночь
- Довга ніч
- Olasz módra
- Noaptea cea mare
- 狂宴
- Wielkie otwarcie
+4 more Show fewer
- Žranice
- Büyük Gece
- A Grande Inauguração
- À table
Seen Big Night?
Movies Like Big Night
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Dinner Rush, Nonnas and Saturday Night Fever.
Big Night FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Big Night, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Big Night?
Big Night runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).
When was Big Night released?
Big Night was released on September 20, 1996.
Who is in the cast of Big Night?
Big Night stars Stanley Tucci and Tony Shalhoub.
How much did Big Night make at the box office?
Big Night grossed $12 million worldwide.
How is Big Night rated?
Big Night has 7.3/10 on IMDb, 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 80 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.
What awards did Big Night win?
Big Night won 1 award from 3 nominations, including Best First Screenplay at the Spirit Awards 1997.
Does Big Night have a post-credit scene?
No. Big Night has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
