Diner

Is the male friend group at the center of this coming-of-age comedy a model to society? Of course not. The blasé way this film depicts certain misdeeds makes the film somewhat lacking in its critique. But make no mistake– Diner does criticize guys like these, dopey schmucks who haven’t gotten the memo that they’ve grown up yet. The comedy pokes fun at their denial while gently reminding its audience of how unglamorous the glory days really are, and how much life there’s still left to enjoy, if one allows themselves to grow up. It’s really a shame that the film just doesn’t go as sharp as it could’ve, otherwise Diner could have been a classic for the ages.

Set in 1959, Diner shows how five young men resist their adulthood and seek refuge in their beloved Diner. The mundane, childish, and titillating details of their lives are shared. But the golden moments pass, and the men shoulder their responsibilities, leaving the Diner behind.