 | Set in New Jersey in the 1950s, The Big Night is the story of two Italian immigrant brothers, Primo (played by Tony Shalhoub, best known in the TV series Monk) and Secondo (played by Stanley Tucci Conspiracy, The Terminal), struggling to achieve the American Dream with their Italian restaurant, The Paradise
Shalhoub is brilliant as Primo the Howard Roark of cooking. Primo is a maestro of authentic Italian cuisine - risotto and carpaccio, rather than spaghetti and meatballs. He never compromises his menu; customers accept his dishes as he prepares them, or not at all.
Secondo is the pragmatic businessman. If Primo is Howard Roark, Secondo is Peter Keating. Theres a hilarious scene where Secondo suggests that the risotto be taken off the menu because the ingredients are too expensive. Too his surprise, Primo agrees, and in his thick Italian accent and poker-face says, You know
we could replace it
[Secondo nods enthusiastically]
with a
a how-you-say?
a Hot Dog?
The restaurant struggles against the mass-market, egg-noodle-and-meatball competitor down the street. (Americans: think Macaroni Grill
no offence to that fine company!) Their devious competitor, Pascal (played by Ian Holm Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, From Hell) promises to book jazz legend Louis Prima for The Paradise to give his fellow Italians a break. The brothers bet the farm on this one Big Night and Primo prepares to cook the greatest meal of his life
The banquet preparation scene is the highlight of the film and will make your mouth water. This culinary story of staying true to yourself is a must see for any Objectivist food-lover.
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