Big Night

Excellent movie about the struggles of a restaurant and about family.

I didn't know this film was co-written and co-directed by Stanley Tucci until I got to the opening credits, which was a nice surprise, as I'm a big fan of the singular vision films that can come from triple threat writer/direct/actors. This film definitely is a good example, as it really succeeds in every area. The writing and performances are top notch. These are complex characters portrayed by actors who are up to the task. The dialogue has a naturalist feel, with every pause and subtlety helping to make these characters feel real. I will acknowledge that I have no idea what authentic Italian or Italian accents sound like, so that's an area where I can't be a good judge, but it didn't raise any issues for me. Regarding the story, I really enjoyed the small scope. Being able to wring so much drama out of what ultimately amounts to a dinner party is an impressive display of writing.