| BOOGIE |
1959..Baltimore..Christmas Night
In 1982, Barry Levinson became a overnight success after the release of this, his debut film. He both wrote and directed Diner. The
cast of this film soon followed, all becoming stars each in their own right. We are first introduced to a number of young unknowns
who quickly became notable in their own acting careers. In spite of their inexperience, Diner was so extremely well acted, it seemed
to be done by long-time pros. Among this now impressive list, you can find names in the cast of credits that need no introduction
these days, Kevin Bacon, Steve Guttenberg, Paul Reiser, Tim Daly, Daniel Stern and none-other than Mickey Rourke himself.
cast of this film soon followed, all becoming stars each in their own right. We are first introduced to a number of young unknowns
who quickly became notable in their own acting careers. In spite of their inexperience, Diner was so extremely well acted, it seemed
to be done by long-time pros. Among this now impressive list, you can find names in the cast of credits that need no introduction
these days, Kevin Bacon, Steve Guttenberg, Paul Reiser, Tim Daly, Daniel Stern and none-other than Mickey Rourke himself.
The guys in this story are best friends.. A tight-knit group of individually awkward young men too old for growing pains and too
young to grow up. This is a coming of age character study centered around a long-time group of friends who avoid growing up,
accepting responsibility and going through the mundane, yet necessary transitions into adult-hood. They cling to their old hang-out,
the Fells Point Diner for dear life.
young to grow up. This is a coming of age character study centered around a long-time group of friends who avoid growing up,
accepting responsibility and going through the mundane, yet necessary transitions into adult-hood. They cling to their old hang-out,
the Fells Point Diner for dear life.
We meet the crew of friends in their 20's who all hang at the diner and within minutes, we are involved. Diner is a pure period piece,
and the characters portray people you know and can relate to. They feel comfortable and likable as they retreat to the Diner to
refuel their familiar equilibriums with cigarettes, black coffee, malteds and french fries and gravy. Each night, in the wee hours
between the late show at the bijou and the break of dawn you can hear Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry on the
jukebox while the buddies gather at the Diner, to laugh and argue about sports, Shreivie’s records, Boogie’s movie antics and Eddie
‘s roast beef sandwich.
and the characters portray people you know and can relate to. They feel comfortable and likable as they retreat to the Diner to
refuel their familiar equilibriums with cigarettes, black coffee, malteds and french fries and gravy. Each night, in the wee hours
between the late show at the bijou and the break of dawn you can hear Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry on the
jukebox while the buddies gather at the Diner, to laugh and argue about sports, Shreivie’s records, Boogie’s movie antics and Eddie
‘s roast beef sandwich.
"...[The actors are] terrific as the friends. Each etches out their individual predicament with wonderful subtlety..."-
Berg. (Variety Film Critic)
Berg. (Variety Film Critic)
Eddie, played by Steve Guttenberg, is the momma’s boy. Although terrified of taking the plunge is about to marry his fiancé, Elyse,
but only if she can pass a grueling and demanding trivia test about the Baltimore Colts including all the tiny details. Elyse whose face
is hidden through the entire movie (a la‘ Maris Crane), is played by Sharon Ziman. “Here’s looking’ at you kid!”
but only if she can pass a grueling and demanding trivia test about the Baltimore Colts including all the tiny details. Elyse whose face
is hidden through the entire movie (a la‘ Maris Crane), is played by Sharon Ziman. “Here’s looking’ at you kid!”
Paul Reiser is the droll Modell, the mooching, smartass, of the lot who lives to annoy Eddie. Modell plays the comic relief role in
the film and is indeed annoying, but funny none the less. I laugh at Reiser’s character every time I watch Diner.
the film and is indeed annoying, but funny none the less. I laugh at Reiser’s character every time I watch Diner.
Timothy Daly is Billy, the most level-headed among the group with the most responsible conscience. Not only is he back in town
for Eddie's wedding, the grad student is desperately trying to sort out his own disastrous love life. He wants to marry to the girl he
loves that is carrying his child while she wants a career.
for Eddie's wedding, the grad student is desperately trying to sort out his own disastrous love life. He wants to marry to the girl he
loves that is carrying his child while she wants a career.
Fenwick is the permanently drunk, rebellious and self-destructive rich-boy who constantly seeks attention. In one of his first roles
Kevin Bacon plays the troubled prankster who you learn has a a warped sense of humor after he sells his date for $5 at a party and
turns his roadster over and douses himself in ketchup just for laughs. He is actually a lot smarter than his baby-face lets on but
because he’s troubled and has no direction he's been shunned by his rich family.
Kevin Bacon plays the troubled prankster who you learn has a a warped sense of humor after he sells his date for $5 at a party and
turns his roadster over and douses himself in ketchup just for laughs. He is actually a lot smarter than his baby-face lets on but
because he’s troubled and has no direction he's been shunned by his rich family.
Daniel Stern plays Shrevie, the only married guy in the bunch.. Restless, and frustrated with wife Beth (Ellen Barkin) he’s torn
between his joyless marriage and the stimulating "guy-talk"at the diner. The young couple realizes that married life is not always a
bed of roses and fun. He is more comfortable hanging out with his friends and organizing his record collection something he says his
wife can’t do!
between his joyless marriage and the stimulating "guy-talk"at the diner. The young couple realizes that married life is not always a
bed of roses and fun. He is more comfortable hanging out with his friends and organizing his record collection something he says his
wife can’t do!
Well known and respected New York Times film critic, Janet Maslin wrote, "..fresh, well-acted and energetic. The sort of
small, honest, entertaining movie that should never go out of style..”
small, honest, entertaining movie that should never go out of style..”
BUT.. Diner is classic Mickey Rourke: 101. Boogie is a daytime hairdresser, nighttime law student (but only as a come on to the
girls), and fulltime lady’s man with gambling issues. HIs main dilemma is he doesn’t have the money to pay off the loan shark he‘s
way in over his head with. One look at “Tank” is enough to realize he’s not the type you want to piss off or keep on hold. His debt
gets deeper as he loses a ‘sure-thing tip’ and loses even more. The problem ensues one of the most classic scenes in comedy when
Boogie takes desperate measures by arranging a bet that he can get the lovely blonde, yet dense, Carol Heathrow, played by
Colette Blonigan, to go after his manhood at the movie theater. While watching A Summer Place Boogie tries to win his bet and
does the unthinkable in this unforgettable "popcorn" scene!
girls), and fulltime lady’s man with gambling issues. HIs main dilemma is he doesn’t have the money to pay off the loan shark he‘s
way in over his head with. One look at “Tank” is enough to realize he’s not the type you want to piss off or keep on hold. His debt
gets deeper as he loses a ‘sure-thing tip’ and loses even more. The problem ensues one of the most classic scenes in comedy when
Boogie takes desperate measures by arranging a bet that he can get the lovely blonde, yet dense, Carol Heathrow, played by
Colette Blonigan, to go after his manhood at the movie theater. While watching A Summer Place Boogie tries to win his bet and
does the unthinkable in this unforgettable "popcorn" scene!
When Eddie brings up the question of who Boogie would pic as make out music, “.. Sinatra or Mathis?”, Boogie replies “Presley.”
To the others Boogie seems to be the stud guru. Little do they know that all this resident sweet-talker really wants is to find a nice
girl he can love and respect. As Boogie counsels Eddie’s marriage reservations, he pours a huge gulp of sugar from the dispenser
into his mouth and chases it with a 6 oz. bottled coke and tells him, “You gotta’ a lot to learn.”
To the others Boogie seems to be the stud guru. Little do they know that all this resident sweet-talker really wants is to find a nice
girl he can love and respect. As Boogie counsels Eddie’s marriage reservations, he pours a huge gulp of sugar from the dispenser
into his mouth and chases it with a 6 oz. bottled coke and tells him, “You gotta’ a lot to learn.”
There is a memorable scene where Barkin thanks Boogie for not following through on a sexual liason that would have led to a payoff
for Tank, but a real disaster for his friends. Even though she is a confused young married woman, extremely vulnerable and lonely,
Boogie just can’t bring himself to take advantage of her. Turns out, there’s more to Boogie than meets the eye. Deep down he really
has a heart of gold. Rourke shines as he delivers an outstanding performance.
for Tank, but a real disaster for his friends. Even though she is a confused young married woman, extremely vulnerable and lonely,
Boogie just can’t bring himself to take advantage of her. Turns out, there’s more to Boogie than meets the eye. Deep down he really
has a heart of gold. Rourke shines as he delivers an outstanding performance.
| This character synopsis was written by Kathy Thompson feedback is greatly appreciated. |
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Diner is one of those feel-good movies which is reminiscent of days gone by that takes you back to a much simpler place and time
when friendship really mattered.. and not much else. Filled with memorable scenes, realistic nostalgia and likable characters, it at the
diner alone are worth the watch.
when friendship really mattered.. and not much else. Filled with memorable scenes, realistic nostalgia and likable characters, it at the
diner alone are worth the watch.