As a fan of the real stuff, a title like the one this movie has attracts a lo. Watching the trailer, one can imagine some things and create illusions when not even knowing what will be seen. Personally, I believe the filmmakers carried with a great responsibility to develop a story with that title; so I went to see if they could do it right.

From the beginning the environment is warm, with simple images and a soundtrack that stayed with me long after the film. It was then when I was taken to a restaurant, where all the employees where being informed the same would be sold and that the weeks of work remaining where few. It's a strong scene, considering the messenger being verbally attacked by the employees during the meeting, some questioning an empty future after fifteen years of work.

Some will receive the news later on, some won't even find out; because that's how it is. Anyway, it was disappointing that the film based itself on one determined situation with defined characters. I didn't expect that, because I can find it with more complexity in another movie, while in this one the ending confuses its meaning between the pleasant and the awkward.

At least the actors try to be some of what the movie wanted to show in their characters "everyday people". They get inside the deep of the ordinary, so we can see an inspired Reg Cathey as a street salesman. In probably the best moment of the film, his characters walks along the street and is bothered by some kids: "Bump", they call him. There he recognizes one of them, and says to him: "How's your mother doing?". The kid, with his friends that just criticized the man's shoes by his side, lowers his head down: "She's OK". Then the man walks away, saying: "Send her my regrets", after the best example the movie gives of the people we see everyday.

The rest of the cast, mostly not known or inexperienced actors, do their job correctly in Jim McKay's little world. What I can't understand is, still, the racism towards black people and their fights with white people. The end credits divide in squares of two colors: black and white. I hope there's no subliminal or hidden message in them and I hope HBO continues to do these movies.

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.

This movie is excellent for people who have ever "people watched" Going to a diner, coffee shop, airport and even a casino is a perfect place to people watch. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about stalking, I'm talking about observing. The author/screenwriter must be a "people watcher". I give this movie a 7 out of 10. Right after watching this movie I felt a little empty because we never find out what happened to Samel. I would have liked to know if he called his dad. Also what happened to Jo? Did she take the job at the strip club? But after I reflected on the film, I realized that I didn't need to know. This is a day in the life of these characters. What they do when the day is over is not important.