Everyday People

but reality isn't necessarily all that entertaining. The cast of unknowns, most of whom have had bits in episodes in one or more of the Law & Order triumverates, bring to life real everyday people -- just like the title says. The situations and interactions are real. Problems are not solved. People are not nearly-all-saint or nearly-all-sinner. They are just everyday people in a disheartening economy, struggling to preserve at least a shred of human dignity.

Even though it premiered on HBO and now bears the HBO imprimatur, it's obvious that it was filmed on a shoestring budget, but that makes it all the more real. Be warned though, that like reality, some things are just pointless, dull, and boring. That's life too.

This movie has a beginning -- the decision to close the restaurant due to bad economic times -- but no ending. The people involved do a good job of falling into the racism trap, then letting go when seeing its pointlessness as an excuse once again, while still recognizing that it will always be part of their realities, keeping the playing feels tilted against them -- perhaps not insurmountably so -- but tilted against them nonetheless. Mostly, by the film's end, you feel how tired these people feel -- and have no better idea of how their lives will end up than when they started -- just like real life.

It also is a good movie to watch with teenagers, really tough situations, and adult themes, but no nudity, violence, or glibness, hence a great conversation-starter.

I give it 8/10, but don't try to watch it if you're overly tired.

I'm just a white, middle-aged guy from Toronto, Canada, but all I can say is this is one of the most sincere, honest and true portrayals of the human spirit that I have ever seen depicted in film!

The characters are real, conflicted and familiar and are portrayed superbly by the actors.

I only wish that more films and TV offered as much insight into social conflict, change and diversity as this film portrays.

The title of this film delivers on it's promise of showing "Everyday People".

is something real, and rarely depicted so well; there is no melodrama; just people trying to survive. Besides the fact that there are many excellent, underexposed actors; Reg E. Cathey, as Akbar; as well as many of the younger cast members. The movie holds the interest of the audience, because each character is well-developed and believable.

The setting is a deli/restaurant in Brooklyn, which is being taken over by developers; this means that all the employees are out of a job, and the owner also struggles with his conscience as he realizes that: Yes, what he does has an affect on other people. This is a very pertinent story; especially in today's economy; where one either works for a "multi-national corporation" and sells out, as one character tells her mother, or pursues their dream, if they are able.

You will totally enjoy this movie, as it is something most people can relate to, and while it portrays cold reality, there is also a hopeful and positive ending.

As an addendum I would also say that I hope the writer is considering a follow-up to this story, many people who have seen this movie relate to the characters, and hope to see what happens in the future; movies like this are few and far between, substance and character, not slick Hollywood "trash for cash"; which most people tire of after age 20.

The ensemble cast of relatively unknown actors did a fine job and this is quite an enjoyable movie. This was about a restaurant in New York City owned by a jewish man; his patrons are largely black. He decides to close down the restaurant due to declining receipts, and this is about the impact his decision has on all of the people involved. Sounds a lot like Barbershop, but a little more true to life.

There are not many movies that have been able to hold my attention lately. I find myself hitting the stop button far to often. I expected nothing better from what looked like a slow drama, Everyday People.

But I never once had the urge to shut off my DVD player. It is unfortunate that this movie is almost certain never to find a niche.

That is a shame. The movie is the engrossing story of-shockingly enough-everyday people with normal, everyday lives. If you feel sold out when a nice, simple drama ends in gunfire for some silly reason, if you're sick of CGI movies with no heart, this is you're movie. It doesn't need to force events to carry the plots along; instead, we get several stories that unfold naturally.

A restaurant is closing and it's staff must find new jobs. How they react and how their lives are changed is the story, no more, no less. The entire movie takes place over one work day. The acting is solid, the writing equally good. All around this is simply a well made little movie.

Another delight was that there really aren't fixed endings. Who settles their lives in one night? These people do not. We don't know what is going to happen to them or even if things will be okay in the end; we know only what we are given.

Overall, this is an engrossing, low key drama that you shouldn't pass up.

*** (three stars out of four)