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Amazon.co.uk Review
Barry Levinson's debut film as a writer-director nearly got lost in the shuffle before New York critics rescued it from oblivion. Set in his native Baltimore in 1959, it focuses on a group of pals coping with life post high school. Each of them has problems with women, it seems, whether it's Steve Guttenberg (as a guy about to get married who forces his fiancée to pass a test about the Baltimore Colts), Mickey Rourke (as the womanising hairdresser with a gambling problem) or Daniel Stern (as the married one who makes his wife miserable with his carefully catalogued record collection). The only time these guys seem like they have got it together is when they gather at the diner to sling the bull. The cast also includes Ellen Barkin, Timothy Daly, Paul Reiser and Kevin Bacon--each in a breakthrough role. --Marshall Fine
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I have a lot of affection for this movie, not least because I was born and raised in Baltimore - although I was slightly younger in 1959 and lived on the other side of town. Baltimore is as much a character as any of the actors and the film lovingly recreates the city as I remember it.
Diner is about a bunch of guys who are never happier than when hanging out at the wonderfully nostalgic diner of the title. The emphasis is on atmosphere and character more than plot, although there are several memorable set pieces - most enjoyably in the cinema when Mickey Rourke's date finds a surprise in the popcorn.
The cast - the heart and soul of the film - are universally strong, except for Kevin Bacon's period lapses of overacting. The dialogue seems natural and occasionally improvised - especially Paul Reiser's, whose character unfortunately gets lost in the middle of the film. The female characters are more basic and less deep, but then this is really a film about the guys. And their camaraderie - which developed during rehearsals and filming - is the major charm and attraction of Diner.
I love the film, but then I'm from Baltimore. But it must have universal appeal because my English wife also loves it and she's only been to Charm City once. It's a great film that rewards repeated viewings. For me, the only downside is the sight of the Little Tavern and the knowledge that those gorgeous little burgers are now extinct.
11 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Picked this up recently without bothering to check how it was on other regions, wish I had now! Be aware that the British disc is not 1.85:1, even though it claims to be on the packaging - it's a 4:3 transfer, although it appears to be open matte, so looks better if you zoom in on a 16:9 TV. It also has zero extras, unlike the American and Australian disc, so fairly poor show Warner!
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Diner is an entertaining 80's movie from Barry Levinson. It could just as easily have been a stage play (in fact might have been for all I know). The cast were all relative unknowns at the time, but such was the impact and cult following achieved by this film that many of them went on to much bigger things, for a while at least.
It's interesting to see the likes of Steve Guttenberg, Mickey Rourke, Kevin Bacon, Daniel Stern and Ellen Barkin cutting their teeth as young wannabee film stars. And surprisingly it's the likes of Guttenberg who shine more than say Bacon. But a few poor career moves is all it takes to disappear off the Hollywood radar. Guttenberg and Rourke made plenty, Bacon few. At least Rourke is back now.
On the whole Diner is a film with very little action (or plot) but the dialogue sparkles even if some of it has dated a little, and the acting feels extremely natural as if the cast genuinely bonded whilst filming.
A good reflective piece of entertainment, but more for curiosity than out and out entertainment.
It's interesting to see the likes of Steve Guttenberg, Mickey Rourke, Kevin Bacon, Daniel Stern and Ellen Barkin cutting their teeth as young wannabee film stars. And surprisingly it's the likes of Guttenberg who shine more than say Bacon. But a few poor career moves is all it takes to disappear off the Hollywood radar. Guttenberg and Rourke made plenty, Bacon few. At least Rourke is back now.
On the whole Diner is a film with very little action (or plot) but the dialogue sparkles even if some of it has dated a little, and the acting feels extremely natural as if the cast genuinely bonded whilst filming.
A good reflective piece of entertainment, but more for curiosity than out and out entertainment.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Diner
Watched this in anticipation, however despite the strong young cast it was dull, and uninspiring. I turned off after 20 mins.
Published 4 months ago by hot potatos
Good
I ordered this DVD for my nan who is in her 70's. She had been looking everywhere for this DVD but unable to find it anywhere. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Laura
Loved it!
Why have I waited years to watch this film? Classic young Mickey Rourke. Definitely a keeper.
Published on 11 Aug 2009 by Deirdre Collier
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