Big Night follows the story of Primo & Secondo, two first-generation Italian immigrant brothers, as they try to keep their traditional Italian restaurant in 1950's New Jersey. During the entirety of the film, we watch the brothers fight with not only each other but also struggling with the aspects of life that come with trying to achieve the American Dream.
Each brother represents a conflicting ideology. We see evidence of this within the first 10 minutes of the film. Two customers are complaining to Secondo about not being able to see the shrimp in the risotto and wanting to have spaghetti and meatballs despite Secondo advising against it. Nevertheless, he pushes his feelings aside and asks Secundo to abide by the customers' wishes. Outraged, he rants, calling them "Philistines" and screaming about the traditional Italian way. In this scene, Secundo represents the idea of assimilating to popular culture while Primo represents the idea of sticking to tradition. Although adding popular, non-Italian cuisine to their menu would bring in more customers and cause their money problems to go away, tossing aside the thing that makes them unique can feel as though they are slowing losing their Italian identity. We even see this in Secondo's fashion choices, specifically when it comes to Primo & Secondo's big night. After Pascal tells Secondo about the time that Humphrey Bogart ate with him at his restaurant, Secondo wears Bogart's classic suit from Casablanca that must have premiered a few years prior.
The next conflict of ideals appears in the very next scene: Passion vs. Reality. Secondo learns that their restaurant will be shut down if they can't bring in more money. Secondo returns to the restaurant, ready to inform Primo, but sees him giving one of their neighbors, an artist, a free meal in exchange for yet another painting that he made. Primo isn't pressed about the money because he is paid in knowing that there are some people who still cherish his untainted, classic Italian meals and that is what keeps Primo inspired to continue cooking. This type of conflict is something that everyone, at one point or another, can relate to. Doing something that you're passionate about or inspires you may be mentally and physically fulfilling, but that may not always be the most logical thing to do. As an artist, this concept hits close to home. Although I love painting and get paid to make paintings for other people on occasion, I know that with choosing to be an artist as a possible career comes the possible lack of financial stability.
The last conflict that plays out during the remainder of the film is the idea of Being Honorable vs. Being a Sellout. We watch as Secondo does shameful things while trying to get ahead in the world. First, we see him conversing with Pascal, who is obviously a very powerful and very dangerous man just so that he can get more money to keep his restaurant open. Secondly, he cheats on his girlfriend, Phyllis, with Pascal's wife, Gabriella( Phyllis being one of the few people in the town that deeply cares about him). Lastly, we watch as Secondo pushes his friends and family away as he stresses about Louis Prima coming to eat at his restaurant. Meanwhile, Primo does the opposite. He is aware of Pascal's wrongdoings and despises him for it. He treats all of his other neighbors with kindness and respect. He constantly gives his friends free meals that he cooks and even teaches them how to cook those meals themselves.
Despite their differences, Primo & Secondo are able to put their feelings about each other aside and come together to make the best of their situation while trying to hold on to their Italian culture and values.
Each brother represents a conflicting ideology. We see evidence of this within the first 10 minutes of the film. Two customers are complaining to Secondo about not being able to see the shrimp in the risotto and wanting to have spaghetti and meatballs despite Secondo advising against it. Nevertheless, he pushes his feelings aside and asks Secundo to abide by the customers' wishes. Outraged, he rants, calling them "Philistines" and screaming about the traditional Italian way. In this scene, Secundo represents the idea of assimilating to popular culture while Primo represents the idea of sticking to tradition. Although adding popular, non-Italian cuisine to their menu would bring in more customers and cause their money problems to go away, tossing aside the thing that makes them unique can feel as though they are slowing losing their Italian identity. We even see this in Secondo's fashion choices, specifically when it comes to Primo & Secondo's big night. After Pascal tells Secondo about the time that Humphrey Bogart ate with him at his restaurant, Secondo wears Bogart's classic suit from Casablanca that must have premiered a few years prior.
The next conflict of ideals appears in the very next scene: Passion vs. Reality. Secondo learns that their restaurant will be shut down if they can't bring in more money. Secondo returns to the restaurant, ready to inform Primo, but sees him giving one of their neighbors, an artist, a free meal in exchange for yet another painting that he made. Primo isn't pressed about the money because he is paid in knowing that there are some people who still cherish his untainted, classic Italian meals and that is what keeps Primo inspired to continue cooking. This type of conflict is something that everyone, at one point or another, can relate to. Doing something that you're passionate about or inspires you may be mentally and physically fulfilling, but that may not always be the most logical thing to do. As an artist, this concept hits close to home. Although I love painting and get paid to make paintings for other people on occasion, I know that with choosing to be an artist as a possible career comes the possible lack of financial stability.
The last conflict that plays out during the remainder of the film is the idea of Being Honorable vs. Being a Sellout. We watch as Secondo does shameful things while trying to get ahead in the world. First, we see him conversing with Pascal, who is obviously a very powerful and very dangerous man just so that he can get more money to keep his restaurant open. Secondly, he cheats on his girlfriend, Phyllis, with Pascal's wife, Gabriella( Phyllis being one of the few people in the town that deeply cares about him). Lastly, we watch as Secondo pushes his friends and family away as he stresses about Louis Prima coming to eat at his restaurant. Meanwhile, Primo does the opposite. He is aware of Pascal's wrongdoings and despises him for it. He treats all of his other neighbors with kindness and respect. He constantly gives his friends free meals that he cooks and even teaches them how to cook those meals themselves.
Despite their differences, Primo & Secondo are able to put their feelings about each other aside and come together to make the best of their situation while trying to hold on to their Italian culture and values.
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