On this day May 7, 1982, the coming of age comedy drama Diner premiered in theaters all over the US. Directed by Barry Levinson in his feature debut, the film starred Steve Guttenberg, Daniel Stern, Mickey Rourke, Kevin Bacon, Timothy Daly, and Ellen Barkin in a nostalgic story about a group of young men navigating adulthood in late 1950s Baltimore.
With a sharp script, strong performances, and a naturalistic tone, Diner earned critical acclaim and grossed 14.1 million dollars on a modest 5 million dollar budget. It’s widely credited with launching the careers of several of its stars and influencing a wave of ensemble driven films that followed.
Fun fact: Much of the film’s dialogue was improvised, adding to its authentic and conversational feel. Barry Levinson received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
With a sharp script, strong performances, and a naturalistic tone, Diner earned critical acclaim and grossed 14.1 million dollars on a modest 5 million dollar budget. It’s widely credited with launching the careers of several of its stars and influencing a wave of ensemble driven films that followed.
Fun fact: Much of the film’s dialogue was improvised, adding to its authentic and conversational feel. Barry Levinson received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
