Big Night is one of my favorite movies. In it, two brothers, with opposing views on how to run their faltering restaurant (the eternal struggle of art vs. commerce), pin all of their hopes of saving the business on a visit from the famous bandleader, singer, and showman Louis Prima (and the publicity the visit would generate). At the climax of the film, Primo, the chef, brings out an enormous timpano di maccheroni , a giant dome of pasta filled layers and layers of tomato sauce, meatballs, and pasta shapes. I've never even considered making it--but S'kat has. She's come up with a recipe for a trio of smaller timpani that is breathtakingly brilliant. I haven't been this inspired in years.
Well, thanks for the nice comment! This is really easy to make, albeit time-consuming. I make almost everything the week/weekend before. On the big day, there's nothing to do but make the bechamel and assemble.
Enjoy! And, I think I may have to see this movie again!
Posted by: s'kat | Friday, January 12, 2007 at 10:53 AM
Hurray! I just added it to my Netflix list!
Posted by: janelle | Friday, January 12, 2007 at 04:49 PM
One of the all-time greats, as far as food movies go. We use the soundtrack as the background for dinners and cooking nights. Someone always recognizes it. Never thought about making a timpano before.....
Posted by: jared | Friday, January 12, 2007 at 08:54 PM
I remember "Big Night" was the movie shown when there was a dinner and a movie night at sur la table. Kendra Bailey Morris was the chef instructor that night and she did make the timpani which was provided by Stanley Tucci's mom. It was huge but delicious!
Posted by: Veron | Friday, January 12, 2007 at 10:24 PM
The mighty tome the "Silver Spoon", Italy's answer to The Joy of Cooking, has a great timpano recipe. I'll wash the dishes if you're willing to give it a whirl.
Posted by: genevelynsteele | Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 10:45 AM
Sorry for my ignorance, is it an Italian movie? I love foreign movies and will certainly check this out. :)
Posted by: Rasa Malaysia | Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 08:48 PM
Veronica--I would have loved to have done that Sur la Table class. Lucky you!
Genevelyn--You're on. And I've been lusting after that book since it came out.
Rasa--It's an American movie and Stanley Tucci, one of the stars, actually directs (it was a small, independent film when it came out). You should definitely give it a whirl; you won't be disappointed.
Posted by: Brandon | Monday, January 15, 2007 at 09:23 AM
My first generation Italian mother and her five sisters had a "Big Night" after watching the movie and all made a timpani together. The report was that it was incredible.
Posted by: Ann | Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at 07:42 PM
It wasn't until reading this entry that it occured to me that the timpano wasn't just a piece of fantasy food, an artistic imbellishment, that was used to show how har Primo went in his extreme cooking compulsion. One of my favorite parts was when Primo took the timpano out of the oven and put his ear to it, tapping and listening, like a doctor checking your lungs for congestion, or investigating the contents of an impressive goiter. Appetizing, huh? For those who haven't seen the movie, see it anyway. I loved it long before I was a foodie, when I only ordered off the extra value under $0.99 menu. The climactic question of "what kind of man are you" really struck me and still does. Is there a more important task than figuring out where we fit into this life? A Big Night for the characters and the viewer alike.
Posted by: RVA Foodie | Thursday, January 18, 2007 at 04:06 PM
Movie just came to me from Netflix! Can't wait to watch!
Posted by: janelle | Thursday, February 01, 2007 at 10:52 AM
For film food inspiration, have you checked out Tortilla Soup (I wanted to do the cactus in this movie, but never have) and Mostly Martha? Great to watch a move that entertains the foodie in you too!
Posted by: Deborah Dowd | Friday, February 02, 2007 at 10:02 PM