Diner

An engaging and original coming of age movie set in 1959, written and directed by then newcomer Barry Levinson (Rain Man). This is about a group of inseparable friends who aim to avoid the inevitable responsibilities of life, by hanging out at an all night Diner, and getting to grips with how things will change after Steve Guttenberg's upcoming marriage.

Diner has an impressive cast, a great script and some of the best ensemble acting this side of The Breakfast Club, and whilst it's detractors may argue that there's no real story, you'll be hard pressed not to enjoy some of the comic cut-scenes in the Diner itself. What with debates about 50s singers, the sandwich trade and how you should arrange your record collection alphabetically, in accordance with an obsessive compulsive set of rules, based on the merits/style of each artist; Diner occasionally imitates the hectic banter of a Mamet play.

The characters are so well cast, that you'll always relate to apprehensive slacker Steve Guttenberg, sensible Tim Daly, the indirect but amiable Paul Reiser, (un)happily married Daniel Stern and super-coiffed charmer Mickey Rourke, whilst not forgetting Kevin Bacon (Footloose), who plays isolated oddball Fenwick, like De Niro did Johnny Boy in Scorcese's "Mean Streets" (only not as psychotic!).