11 Most Compelling Diner Scenes in Cinema

By Agent Bedhead | Lists | September 26, 2012 |

By Agent Bedhead | Lists | September 26, 2012 |

I adore movie scenes set in diners. Even though I rarely indulge in diner food these days (unless hitting IHOP after the family Christmas party counts), such scenes are often some of the most remarkable as far as fleshing out character history goes. My curiosity is piqued by this Looper still, which promises some revealing dialogue between Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. A little bit of greasy spoon goes a long way, you know? Perhaps these aren’t the most cinematically impressive restaurant scenes out there, but they’re my personal favorites.

Heat: “Whatdya say I buy you a cup of coffee?” Here are to men discovering how alike they are despite their substantially differing occupations. Essentially, this scene is the heart of the entire movie.

Reservoir Dogs: In this scene, we learn more about the Mr. Pink character and why he doesn’t tip waitresses, which sets up his behavior at the end of the movie. This is even a more telling Tarantino diner scene than that of Pulp Fiction and True Romance.

Go: This scene between Timothy Olyphant and Katie Holmes is fraught with an odd type of sexual tension. Apologies for the Japanese dubbing.

Swingers: The end of this movie is just perfect and brings the viewer full circle from when Mikey was a little boy worshiping Trent to holding all the cards himself.

Zodiac: This scene was one of the foundation scenes for the entire film, and what a payoff!

Groundhog Day: Bill Murray gives off the perfect scent of apathy as he is forced to eat the same food in the same dining establishment day after day. Throwing caution to the wind, indeed.

Goodfellas: Sometimes, it’s just nice to know a diner is a safe place where one will never get knocked off, right?

Back to the Future: This is the moment when Marty sees his dad getting pushed around in high school and one that prompts him to change the future.

Haywire: This introductory scene packed a lot of punch. We learned Mallory was on the run from a sketchy organization and could fight like hell. Unfortunately, the rest of the movie didn’t live up to this first scene’s potential.

“Twin Peaks”: Our one television entry illustrates why David Lynch’s works (for the most part) are simply irresistible.

When Harry Met Sally: Spare me the “I’ll have what she’s having” remarks. It’s just a damn good scene.

Agent Bedhead lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She and her little black heart can be found at Celebitchy.