Everyday People

TV-MA

2004

1 hr. 31 min.

Drama

List

67%

9 Reviews

Tomatometer

38%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

Ira (Jordan Gelber), owner of a diner in Brooklyn, N.Y., is thinking about selling his beloved establishment -- loyally frequented by locals -- to a major corporation out to redevelop the area. When Ira announces the place's imminent closing, he begins to realize how it will affect both his employees and the neighborhood. Among the predominantly black characters that come through the restaurant's doors are surly Akbar (Reg E. Cathey) and cautiously optimistic Samel (Billoah Greene).

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Audience Member

The imagery of city life is a good reason to see this film. It is beautiful in all of the scenes, ranging from the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, the magnificent architecture of the museums and the lovely green spaces to the long standing mom and pop shops, the front porches and back alleys. This colorful backdrop is interspersed with a humanity as diverse and fascinating as the city it occupies. The characters each have a story to tell which grip at the heartstrings long after the movie is over.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Basically a mediocre student play, garnering unbelievable levels of overacting. I honestly don't know what this movie even is other than a seemingly random collection of people in NYC dealing with different issues, few of which are connected at all, and none of which are compelling in the least.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

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Audience Member

i really liked the doc like quality of this ensemble pic

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

Takes a long time to not say much of anything.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

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Audience Member

rather predictable, but ultimately worthwhile day in the life of a Brooklyn neighborhood experiencing gentrification and other injustices.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

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Audience Member

This was a very good, if a bit uneven, study of people who work at a diner in New York which is about to close. The characters were unique, the issues were brought into focus and I would have to say that the best scene in the film would be when the owner of the diner confronts I believe a friend whose been their with him eversince the diner was open? Can't remember exactly, but it is a really great scene of when the owner confesses that he may change his mind about not closing the diner. You'd have to see it. Very good movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

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Jim McKay

Director

Jordan Gelber

Ira

Bridget Barkan

Joleen

Stephen Henderson

Arthur

Sydnee Stewart

Erin Persaud

Billoah Greene

Samel

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Richard Roeper

Ebert & Roeper

My only complaint is that it feels more like a series pilot than a stand-alone film, but thumbs up.

Jun 21, 2004

Full Review

Frank Scheck

Hollywood Reporter

It has an undeniable authenticity in its characterizations and situations and an empathy that is all too rare even in independent cinema.

Apr 13, 2004

Full Review

Steven Rea

Philadelphia Inquirer

The ensemble cast, asked to improvise its roles, interacts with conviction and chemistry.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 8, 2004

Full Review

Matt Ashare

Boston Phoenix

It's Spike Lee with no special effects, Blue in the Face without the celebrity cast... There are no epic disasters here, but there is real tragedy.

Jul 2, 2018

Full Review

MaryAnn Johanson

Flick Filosopher

I feel like a real heel for not being able to endorse this film enthusiastically and wholeheartedly, but there we have it.

Feb 2, 2005

Full Review

Josh Ralske

All Movie Guide

Although ambitious...Everyday People is a disappointing step backwards for the filmmaker.

Rated: 5/10

Jul 11, 2004

Full Review

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Synopsis

Ira (Jordan Gelber), owner of a diner in Brooklyn, N.Y., is thinking about selling his beloved establishment -- loyally frequented by locals -- to a major corporation out to redevelop the area. When Ira announces the place's imminent closing, he begins to realize how it will affect both his employees and the neighborhood. Among the predominantly black characters that come through the restaurant's doors are surly Akbar (Reg E. Cathey) and cautiously optimistic Samel (Billoah Greene).

Director: Jim McKay
Executive Producer: Nelson George, Caldecot Chubb, Sean Daniel, Jim McKay, Michael Stipe
Screenwriter: Jim McKay
Production Co: Brooklyn USA Films., HBO Films, Alphaville Films, C-Hundred Film Corp., Journeyman Pictures, Urban Romances
Rating: TV-MA
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 11, 2016
Sound Mix: Surround

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