Must see foodie movies:

"It's funny because it's true" is a common restaurant  moniker, and after working for a Sicilian, the movie "The Big Night," starring Minnie Driver, Ian Holm, Tony Shalhoub and Isabella Rossellini,  is one of the funniest out there. The premise revolves around the ultimate celebration of food, created for an iconic guest... "for all of you out there who don' speak the Sicilian language," that's Louis Prima. Central to the story is a desperate struggle for a pair of Italian brothers operating a restaurant. Mixed in with the typical movie mise-en-place of romance and family struggles is a pinch of commentary on clientele and a simmer of the power-struggle between artistry and, hospitality. And for those with more refined palates, look for a soupcon of revenge and a zest of pith.

The Brothers go out with a bang. Chef Primo's (Shalhoub) philosophy is "people should come just for the food,"  and Segundo, his little brother, is trying to manage the business end of things.  In a last-ditch effort to save the restaurant they prepare the ultimate feast, with great expectations that their business will be saved by Louis' appearance. Their guests revel and dance with the joy of the feast, featuring "risotto tricolore" and a fabled dish, "timpanum," that will leave a belly busting with euphoria. The denouement of the morning after wraps up the movie as sweetly as "il dolci" of an after dinner espresso, leaving one reminiscing like a moon-struck lover: as Primo says "you have to kill yourself!!! after you eat this, you can't live!!!" Honorable mention to Culinary consultant Gianni Scappi and, here's to you Sal Corona!

"The Big Night" :Rysher Entertainment, Inc. 1996 running time: about 109 minutes.