Saturday Night at Market Chess Cinemas

Big Night (1996) details how tough the restaurant business can be, even for two talented Italian brothers who cook their native cuisine in America.

As the title indicates, the brothers gamble on one “big night” to try to save their teetering restaurant. The characters and dialogue are compelling, as the film pulls you in to the other side of the business that we rarely even acknowledge while thumbing through the menu and enjoying the food.  

The talented cast features Tony Shalhoub and Stanley Tucci as the brothers, as well as Minnie Driver Isabella Rossellini, Live Schreiber, and Marc Anthony (yes, that Marc Anthony). 

Tucci co-wrote and co-directed the film with the accomplished actor Campbell Scott. In fact, Tucci later went on to publish his own cookbook. 

Simply put, the above and below the line talent associated with the production is top shelf. Big Night is easily one of the better, underrated films from the 1990’s.