Everyday People is a 2004

2004 in film

The year 2004 in film involved some significant events. Major releases of sequels took place. It included blockbuster films like Shrek 2, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Passion of the Christ, Meet the Fockers, Blade: Trinity, Spider-Man 2, Alien vs. Predator, Kill Bill Vol...

 drama film

Drama film

A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...

 written and directed by Jim McKay

Jim McKay (director)

Jim McKay is an American film and television director, producer and writer.He has directed episodes of The Wire, Treme, Big Love, and Criminal Intent as well as writing and directing Everyday People and Angel Rodriguez.-Career:...

. The storyline revolves around the lives of the employees working at a restaurant in Brooklyn

Brooklyn

Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...

, New York City

New York City

New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...

, which is to be closed down due to economic shortfall.

Plot summary

The plot takes place on a day in Brooklyn. The owner of a neighborhood diner has decided to shut down his restaurant but, on the last day of its business, he decides to give it a second thought after realizing that people's lives depend on it. In the meantime, this sudden shutdown notice puts a heavy impact on the employees, as many of them become uncertain about their future. The movie does not have an explicit ending as to whether the diner was shut down or not.

Cast

• Steve Axelrod as Sol
• Earl Baker Jr. as Benjamin
• Bridget Barkan as Joleen
• Kalimi Baxter as Ruby
• Ron Ben Israel as Walter
• Stephanie Berry as Angry Black Waiter
• Miles Bridgett as Joleen's Son
• David Brummel as Ira's Father
• Ron Butler
  Ron Butler
  Ronald "Ron" Dean Butler, Jr. is a Bahamian-born American television actor who is best known for portraying Oscar, the clever receptionist for Mad Style, on True Jackson, VP.-Early life:...
  
   as Ron Harding
• Kadijah Carlisle as Benita
• Julia Carothers Hughes as Miss Meyers
• Reg E. Cathey
  Reg E. Cathey
  Reginald "Reg" E. Cathey is an American stage, film and television actor.Cathey is a native of Huntsville, Alabama and a graduate of J.O. Johnson High School. He spent his childhood in West Germany. His favourite band is Blur....
  
   as Akbar
• muMs da Schemer
  MuMs da Schemer
  muMs da Schemer is a poet and actor best known for his role as Arnold "Poet" Jackson on the HBO series Oz....
  
  as Ali

Reception

The film was well received for its genuine representation of the struggles of low-income people. The film won "Black Reel" award in "Best supporting Actress" category. It received 75% (Fresh) rating at Rotten Tomatoes.