Set in New York City in the late 1980s, this low-budget indie film presents a day in the life of Eppie’s Bar and Grill – a funky little downtown bar in Little Italy – Cheers-style (but without the humour).
The plot consists simply of a series of conversations you might overhear at a local bar.
Recovering alcoholic Sal (James McCaffrey) tends bar as thirsty patrons wander in and out, including a brash group of businessmen trying hard to appear more successful than they are, curious underage film students, a not-so-off-duty cop (Michael Rispoli), a bookie who keeps bets in his head (Billy Jaye), an addicted gambler (Michael Masse), an intimidating drag queen (Tony Todd), a drunk painter, Wall Street hustlers and more.
As people parade through the bar from opening until closing, focus returns over and over to an old barfly named ‘Burnzy’ (Sam Gray) – a retired newspaper man and longtime regular at the bar – as he reveals the real reason he has been sitting at the bar all day.
The soundtrack features several ear-catching tracks by well-known artists working under pseudonyms.
The Smithereens (as Nik Gentry) provide the opening track, I Don’t Want to Look Into the Mirror, while Graham Parker recorded Childhood Sweetheart as British Invasion group Wally & the Wankers, and Evan Dando and Adam Roth donated a song (Baby You’re a Drag) as 60s garage rock group The Spirochaetes.
Deborah Harry sang So We Danced Again (a vacuous rewrite of Mary Hopkin‘s Those Were the Days) in the guise of Nancy John; David Johansen played as Louie ‘Segundo’ Due (one of his contributions was titled I Want To Be At My Own Funeral), while Lou Christie sang I Can’t Stop The Rain as Frankie Modesto.
A 46-minute ‘Director’s Cut’ was released in 2022.
Andre
David Johansen Jackie
Sherry Stringfield Sal
James McCaffrey Joe “Burnzy” Burns
Sam Gray Kevin
Chris Noth Luke
Michael Massee Chris the Cop
Michael Rispoli Russell
Roger Robinson Mistress Marla
Tony Todd Shannon
Jamie Walters Francis
James Burton Ira
Modeste Slywka Danielle
Carolyn McCormick Minsky
Billy Jaye Eugene
Eddie Brill Larry
David Wright Gertrude
Frederique Van Der Wal Radio DJ (voice)
Penn Jillette Radio Newswoman (voice)
Laura Kightlinger Dog Lady
Joni Ruth White European Man
Adib Goldmansour European Woman
Rochelly Baez Obnoxious Yuppie
Ephran Catlin Punk
Rick Gomez Gloria
Maggie Low Joanne
Rene Rizzo Bar Tramp
Helena Dedic Bar Loser
Owen Comaskey Soldier
John Clement Hip Hop Guy
James Freeman
Director
Michael De Avila
Video
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Recovering alcoholic Sal (James McCaffrey) tends bar as thirsty patrons wander in and out, including a brash group of businessmen trying hard to appear more successful than they are, curious underage film students, a not-so-off-duty cop (Michael Rispoli), a bookie who keeps bets in his head (Billy Jaye), an addicted gambler (Michael Masse), an intimidating drag queen (Tony Todd), a drunk painter, Wall Street hustlers and more.
The soundtrack features several ear-catching tracks by well-known artists working under pseudonyms.
