Big Night and Avarice

    Big Night is a drama, comedy, and romance all at once that stars and is directed by Stanley Tucci. The film came out in 1996 and has stayed relatively silent ever since, which is a shame because it’s brilliant on all technical scales and would be a prime sister piece to Rebecca DeYoung’s Glittering Vices, more specifically her chapter on avarice.

    The film revolves around the life of two brothers, Stanley Tucci and Tony Shalhoub, as they try to make it in America via the Italian restaurant business. Trouble emerges as the other Italian restaurant less than a mile away from the brothers’ continually brings in far more business. Not too long after the brothers realize there’s no hope left, the owner, played by Ian Holm, of the more popular restaurant comes over to try and “help” the others. This is where the avarice comes in. Holm begins by genuinely telling one of the brothers, Tucci, that there is always room over at his restaurant for the two of them. Tucci says very little when asked and states that he has to speak with his brother, who tends to be a hothead a lot of the time. Holm already knows that his brother will say no so he commits the act of true avarice not too long after that meeting. Holm takes advantage of Tucci as well as Shalhoub by claiming he knows every star there is, especially Louis Prima. Holm goes on to say that Mr. Prima was going to come to his restaurant later in the week, but he wouldn’t mind allowing the brothers to have him instead in order to gain popularity. Obviously, Louis Prima was never scheduled to go anywhere, but the brothers believe him and throw an extravagant party that just ends in despair. By committing such an act Holm displays that he not only has the most successful restaurant and desires the brothers, but if he can’t have them than no one can. That fits Rebecca deYoung’s definition of avarice perfectly. Ian Holm just takes every ounce of what he’s got and puts it all towards greediness against some misfortunate competition.

    My post may not seem like much since it’s nearly a summary, but Holm’s act takes a lot of malicious buildup and an immense amount of coldheartedness that it truly is something to be discussed, and without a retelling it wouldn't seem complete. On one last note, I adored this film and wish more than just four or five people had showed up to it.