By Alex Cole.

Playing on the title of William Irwin’s unique introduction to philosophy, Gian Franco Morini gives us a film that’s strongest link with Seinfeld is the vague premise on which both are built.

It is easy to forgive anyone for thinking this film is about Seinfeld, Suzanne Vega, or how television can influence and build a brand. After all the Restaurant’s exterior provides the setting to some of the most popular scenes Jerry Seinfeld gave to the world, not to mention the restaurant’s fame. Seinfeld undoubtedly plays a strong role in the film and many of those involved in the film were influenced either directly or indirectly by the sitcom itself. Yet this only represents a part of Tom’s Restaurant. In 90 minutes Gian Franco Morino takes us past the exterior that became so famous and shows us the true heart of Tom’s Restaurant, ‘Columbia…the neighbourhood people and the people who patronise us’.

The soul of New York is on show in this film; the financial difficulties and heartache that can come from living in the city, but also the joy that such a hectic but artistically fulfilling lifestyle can bring. One by one Morini introduces us to the patrons of Tom’s. He presents them as patrons, artists, academics and a variety of other professions but most importantly, as people. We meet an academic of Columbia who discusses Greek philosophy, friendships and love and makes you want to sit for hours in Tom’s listening to his life story. We meet the creators of @Modern Seinfeld, a twitter account which imagines how the characters would reaction to modern situations. A former addict tells us how the employees of Tom’s helped him free himself of drugs. We meet owners of the restaurant past and present, how the restaurant came to be, where it will go and how it has shaped a community. There really is no link between these people other than they all frequent the same restaurant yet.

The ambiguity of subject that this film gives us can at times give beg the question, what is the point. What am I watching, and why am I watching this? Certain portions of the film, particularly about half an hour in the film felt stretched, but with a little perseverance by the time I‘d finished watching this documentary all the people featured had left a lasting impression on me. With each interview I was drawn in, I wanted to know about this person’s life. Morini makes us feel they are all a part of something and it feels like you, the viewer, are the one having a conversation with these patrons, not Gian Franco Morini.

Featuring the music by Bob Rose, Shon and Burton Crane, who all feature in the film, we are given a true diner experience which only adds to this heart-warming study of people. This really is a documentary about nothing and everything… and it will have you hooked!

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