Blog #460: Why “Diner” (1982) is a Good Learning Tool for Neurodivergents When It Comes

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I’m not going to beat around the bush here, being social is never easy for anyone, particularly for those who are neurodivergent. Just the idea of being in social situations that are just downright uncomfortable is enough to make anyone who is introverted feel in a sense, more introverted. But the fact of the matter is that we all have to interact with others in our lives whether it would be with some who are close to us, some that we see on a occasional basis and others who we view as a one hit wonder in social terms.

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Recently, I was watching an episode of “E! True Hollywood Story” that was about the making of the 1982 coming of age film, “Diner” about a group of friends who live in 1950’s Baltimore and gather at a local diner to discuss life while eating Roast Beef Sandwiches. Now, you might be wondering why would a film about discussing life while eating Roast Beef Sandwiches be ideal for neurodivergent individuals?

Well, if you watch the film, pay close attention to some of the plot points related to social situations. For one thing, the film is about these particular friends coming together for a life event: the wedding of one of their own. Weddings are one of the sacraments for any religion, but the best way to cope with an impending wedding is to distract yourself in the best way possible.

Now, I will say that making the best of a bad situation doesn’t involve destroying a nativity scene in your underwear or trying to get your date to do something perverted in a movie theater. It’s all about just navigating through those situations and sometimes those situations can have consequences and we all have to learn from them.

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Now, the film focuses on each social situation that the main characters have to navigate. For one thing, there is that one scene involving two of the friends getting into an argument over a roast beef sandwich. Watching the scene, I often look to myself and say, “You know, this is how I would react in that situation.” People may think that fighting over a roast beef sandwich is petty and unimportant, but to some people, particularly for neurodivergents, it is important.

Another factor is that the film covers an area that a lot of neurodivergents struggle with and that is dating. There is a scene in the film where one of the characters has his date try to catch a “surprise” in the popcorn box. Now, looking at this scene, neurodivergents can picture themselves thinking that they are doing the right thing when in reality, there is more to learn than that. Dating and having feelings for one another must come natural, something that I had to learn the hard way myself a couple of times.

Next, the film gives an opening introduction to what it means to bet on something. Now, most neurodivergents will struggle with the idea of betting to the point where they don’t gain a full understanding or appreciation of it. There are some moments in “Diner” where betting is involved and neurodivergents can learn that there is healthy betting and unhealthy betting, especially if they gain an interest in sports betting later in life.

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Finally, there is the matter that sometimes, a story like “Diner” needs to be shared on account that it builds a strong connection with young people and neurodivergents. According to the “E! True Hollywood Story,” there was an argument between the film’s creator, Barry Levinson, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer over the scene involving an unfinished roast beef sandwich and the argument that ensued because of it. Levinson won the argument on account that the scene needed to show the characters’ fears, competitive nature and their overall friendship as a whole.

Now, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer is one of those studios that is considered to being rigid and unwilling to accept change in certain areas and “Diner” was one of those films that they weren’t willing to give a chance to. In a way, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer comes to represent the rigidness of neurodivergents who refuse to make changes in their daily lives.

MGM was not willing to be flexible and let a small slice-of-life film make its mark on the world. This also serves as a lesson that not everything is all about going big and that sometimes if we go small, it’s just as good and we get rewards all the same. It would take several film critics, particularly famed film critic Pauline Kael, to get MGM to be open minded about “Diner.”

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“Diner” (1982) Trailer

In conclusion, even though I haven’t seen all of “Diner” (1982), I would give this movie a shot because neurodivergents might learn something and connect with the five main characters in more ways than one on account that like the audience watching them, they are trying to navigate through the banquet that is life as a whole.

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Catch you all later!!

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