Movies:
Diner
DVD Release
- Release Date: 1999
- Behind-the-scenes documentary:"Diner: On the Flip Side" with all-new introduction featuring writer/director Barry Levinson and the film's stars
- Languages & subtitles: English & Français
- Interactive menus
- 2 theatrical trailers
- Scene access
- Rating:
- Genre: Comedy Drama
- Movie Type: Ensemble Film, Coming-of-Age
- Themes: Faltering Friendships, Men's Friendship, Wedding Bells
- Director: Barry Levinson
- Main Cast: Tim Daly, Steve Guttenberg, Daniel Stern, Mickey Rourke, Kevin Bacon, Ellen Barkin, Paul Reiser
- Release Year: 1982
- Country: US
- Run Time: 110 minutes
- MPAA Rating: R
Plot
Writer-director Barry Levinson's autobiographical first feature fondly remembers his Baltimore youth. It's late 1959, and six guys in their early twenties are stumbling into adulthood, alternating responsibility with carefree time at their local diner. The story centers on the return from college of Billy (Tim Daly) to serve as best man at the wedding of his pal Eddie (Steve Guttenberg). Billy is consumed by a confusing relationship with a close female friend, while Eddie still lives at home, preparing a football trivia test for his fiancée and vowing to cancel the wedding if she fails. Other characters woven into the narrative include Boogie (Mickey Rourke), a womanizer with a gambling problem, and Shrevie (Daniel Stern), a music addict with a troubled marriage. Diner became known for its bittersweet comic screenplay and its remarkable cast, which also included Paul Reiser, Kevin Bacon, and Ellen Barkin. In order to capture the loose, laid-back dialogue of the diner scenes, Levinson directed them last, so that the actors would be more comfortable with each other. Diner was the first part of Levinson's "Baltimore Trilogy," followed by Tin Men (1987) and Avalon (1990). ~ Norm Schrager, All Movie GuideReview
This talk-heavy comedy, set in 1950s Baltimore, marked Barry Levinson's directorial debut. Filled with excellent dialogue (the screenplay was nominated for an Academy Award) and star-making performances, the largely-unknown-at-the-time cast includes Kevin Bacon, Daniel Stern, Mickey Rourke, Paul Reiser, and Ellen Barkin (it marked the big screen debuts of the latter two performers). The rampant immaturity of the male quintet of friends is amusingly lampooned in Levinson's clever and cutting script, a refreshingly honest depiction of an era often bathed in sepia-toned nostalgia. The male bonding rituals that tie together these aimless protagonists are presented as both childish and endearing, allowing the audience to laugh both with and at the protagonists. The setting is an immaculate and loving recreation of Levinson's childhood haunts, and the wonderful soundtrack makes the retro-experience complete and fulfilling. Diner was the first of Levinson's so-called Baltimore trilogy, which includes Tin Men (1987) and Avalon (1990). His television series of the mid-1990's, Homicide, was likewise set in his beloved Baltimore. ~ Dan Jardine, All Movie GuideCast
- Tim Daly - William 'Billy' Howard
- Steve Guttenberg - Edward 'Eddie' Simmons
- Daniel Stern - Laurence "Shrevie" Schreiber
- Mickey Rourke - Robert "Boogie" Sheftell
- Kevin Bacon - Timothy Fenwick, Jr.
- Ellen Barkin - Beth
- Paul Reiser - Modell
Michael Tucker - Bagel; Kathryn Dowling - Barbara; Jessica James - Mrs. Simmons; Colette Blonigan - Carol Heathrow; John Aquino - Tank; Nat Benchley - Technical Director; Claudia Cron - Jane Chisholm; Kelle Kipp - Diane; Mark Margolis - Earl Maget; Richard Pierson - David Frazer; Steve Smith - Announcer; Ralph Tabakin - TV Customer; Barney Cohen - Knocks; Alan Kaplan - Bagel's Friend; Brian Costantini - Drunk at Wedding; Clement Fowler - Eddie's Father; Marvin Hunter - Newscaster; Bruce Kluger - Guy at Fool Hall; Arnold Mazer - Gripper; Florence Moody - Waitress; Sharon Ziman - Bride; Ellen Chenoweth; Tom Tammi - Howard; Allison Caine
