6 characters we can all relate to
- Carl Lane
- Nov 14, 2017
- 3 min read
Diner by Barry Levinson (1982)
A script devoid of story but full of character sees a groups of friends discuss adult motives with childish intentions. Is Eddie getting married? Only if his fiancé passes his American Football knowledge test. Their chosen hang out to discuss such trivial antics? The Diner.
Script Review
The problem with having no real story attached to the script means that the characters had little to offer in way of development. Other than Eddie deciding to marry his fiancé despite her failing the test, the script ends with little closure. But actually, I don't think that is a problem at all, this script is a reflection of life and when does life ever offer closure?
Whilst the script occasionally dabbles in the future, and sometimes the past, this script is about the (albeit sixty years ago) now, and that is pretty unique. For me, someone that loves clever dialogue movies, I am more than happy to read characters just enjoying the discourse they would inevitably be having if they were real people and not the focus of a movie.
What really stands out in this script is the dialogue between the friends and a look into what guys truly cared about, especially during the 1950s. So many other reviews have mentioned this, and to be quite honest there is no other way of putting it. The guys care about American Football, gambling, hot girls, and music. This script is a great snapshot of their lives at one exact moment, they can be themselves, and we can like the characters for who they are, rather than who they will eventually become after overcoming obstacles.
At the time of this blog posts first draft, I wrote:
"As a 22 year old male fresh out of university I can relate to all of these characters in some respect. I am at an awkward stage where I am expected to blend into society and be a mature adult, but all I want to do is drink, gamble, and go hang out with my friends. I am not looking too far ahead to the future, and I am not looking too far into the past, I am living my life a day at a time, it is strange how I can relate to characters written before my time and set well before my time. If you was to read this script in one hundred years time you would still understand it. Sure you wouldn’t get the references, I admit that I struggled occasionally. The essence of the script is relatable to people like me, but also people who yearn for those years back."
After digging up this blog post and re-reading it, I no longer agree with what I said, I have my eyes set firmly on the future, and whilst I still yearn for my university days, I have moved on. And yet, I know exactly what I meant, I remember how that time in my life felt, and I have new understanding of how the characters are feeling in their world. This script, in my opinion, transcends age groups and target audiences, I truly believe that everyone can relate to these characters in some way.
Similar to my last blog post, conversation is key in this script. There are fantastic moments of dialogue that could only have been written had the screenwriter (Barry Levinson) really understood these characters. He knows each of his characters, and he understands how each character knows the other; it is actually remarkable to think about the fact that Levinson can have one character speak to his girlfriend, his best friend, his mother, a waitress, anyone really, and not actually lose who the character is. What I am saying is that in normal life we speak differently to different people, and Levinson captures that brilliantly in this script.
Where the problems lie
I aim to gain some sort of education from each script I read and analyse, and with this script I have discovered something that really grinds me gears.
“They all laugh”.
As a reader, I do not need to be told that all the characters laugh after a funny moment, have confidence in the joke you wrote. If your characters are strong enough and they find something funny, trust that the reader and the audience will too. I would only expect to see that direction if the tone of the scene is not quite translatable, but a joke is a joke, and with a good joke laughter follows.
Verdict
Strong script. Very good conversational dialogue, and a film that whilst not a box office hit, will truly stand the test of time. However, the lack of story makes for a forgettable script, days after reading it I couldn’t remember any of the characters names nor any of the conversations.
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