Episode 126 - Diner (1982)

Barry Levinson's first film, set in that quiet week between Christmas and New Year's Day, is a surprisingly smart examination of young men and relationships, and why people should (or shouldn't) get married. It's nostalgic without being overly sentimental, looking back at 1959 not as some golden age of youth, but simply another, earlier time, and not that different from 1982 (and really not that different from 2023, except for the increasing lack of diners in this country, something we get into in the episode).  Starring Mickey Rourke, Kevin Bacon, Tim Daly, Steve Guttenberg, Paul Riser, and Ellen Barkin. Written and directed by Barry Levinson.