this be actually the second time i have view this movie . the first time be during a benefit at a local independent movie house where several of the chef from local italian restaurant cook for the audience while big night be show on the screen . because it be such a social occasion it be difficult to concentrate on the film itself . consequently and while i watch this film for the second time it seem like a new experience to me . and what an experience . the film take place during approximately a day and half in the life of two italian brother who run a restaurant in new jersey that be less than successful . unfortunately and the time have come where they be go to have to close up shop if their luck doesn not turn around immediately . their competition and pascal and have a restaurant down the street that be thrive and despite the fact that the food doesn not compare to the brother restaurant . their hope be heighten however and when pascal offer to send louis prima and his band to their restaurant a sure fire way to drum up business . this be a small movie with scene that have an enormous impact . you aren not just tell that pascal restaurant be tacky and subpar and yet flashy enough for the average diner to come in drove and you walk into it with a great point of view shot . you experience the cramped seating and the garish decoration and the horrid singer who massacre o sole mio bad than any karaoke singer i have ever hear . most importantly and the food take an obvious back seat there be no presentation . conversely and in the brother restaurant and the food preparation scene be absolutely beautiful . as cliche a it sound and you can almost feel the pasta dough and smell the basil and taste the marinara . the character development also bear a strong mention . the viewer learn an amazing amount of information about the two main character and brother primo ( shalhoub ) and secondo ( tucci ) despite the short time span we have with them . secondo be definitely the business mind one in the family and while primo be artistic and passionate about his cooking . while we discover this mainly through their interaction and it be also subtlely exemplify in scene such a the first sign of secondo pure delight while test drive a cadillac and and primo abject happiness while discuss art and his passion for food with a woman with whom he be clearly smitten . there be many subplots within the main story and and for such a simple premise and short time span and the complexity the subplots add to the general story engage the viewer until the real co star appear . the food . i sincerely believe it be physically impossible to watch this film without your mouth water at least once . this film could have double a a propaganda piece for italian food . a a major lover of italian and sicilian food and i be in my element . the presentation be such that you can taste and smell and feel this food on your pallette . it also unfortunately remind me that i have a long way to go with my own italian cuisine . i be not go to linger on the scene which involve food because it be simply something that need to be experience on one own . the acting in this movie be formidable . there be several co star that be kind of throwaway character and ( driver and rosselini and marc anthony and do his best harpo marx impression come to mind ) . i still be marvel at the choice of ian holm a the crazy and ultimately destructive pascal and but it definitely work in the film . he also give the funny pep talk in the film represent bite your teeth into the as of life and drag it to you . campbell scott and who co direct the film with tucci have a memorable short scene a a cadillac salesman . i laugh through the entire scene and because scott be normally the laid back and intellectual character in his film which and at least for this viewer and have always make him very endear . his bizarre turn in this film be absolutely hysterical . a for the two main character and i be both content and amaze . while tucci have long be recognize a a solid character actor ( this film be no exception ) it be shalhoub performance during the film and primarily in the final scene and that literally make me ache . he be absolutely magnificent and completely exemplify the despair the brother finally let surface after what have be an apparently long gestation period . throughout the film as well and however his passion be palpable . he deliver my favorite line of the film and which strike home because of my own ( at time ) dramatic tendency represent you have to kill yourself after you eat it because you can not live . to eat good food be to be close to god . this be not intend to be a spoiler and but i find the last five minute of the film that have absolutely no dialogue to be infinitely more profound than your average cookie cutter drama . the viewer be leave to speculate and something that be a rarity in american film and even with a lot of independent . there have be talk in the last few year of a sequel and but i sincerely hope this never come to fruition because this film would lose it impact if it be anything but a stand alone masterpiece . big night draw you in quickly and lead you in by your sens . i have not want to be in a scene from a movie as much a i do during the last half hour of the movie . they make the spectacle almost as much a part of the scene a the food . the brother make food an event and give the audience a plethora of reason to do the same . a for me and i normally prefer i paliacci or turandot when i be attempt my risotto or lasagne bolognese but i think i will pull out my louis prima album the next time i cook . besides and it be a couple of year since i have dance around the kitchen with an open wine bottle lip synching mambo italiano by rosemary clooney . bottom line represent watch this movie just not on an empty stomach and unless you do not mind run to your local italian restaurant after . shelly .