This gentle, warm-hearted comedy drama about a group of young men in 1950s Baltimore was director Barry Levinson's debut feature and it remains among his finest work. It's a sympathetic portrait of youth on the threshold of adulthood that's episodic in structure, but not just nostalgia for nostalgia's sake. It also happens to be rather funny. In addition, Levinson shows a remarkable eye for talent - at the time, most of the performers were far from being household names; Steve Guttenberg, Mickey Rourke, Ellen Barkin, Kevin Bacon, Daniel Stern and Paul Reiser all boosted their careers after appearing in this movie.

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.