Diner

Eddie is the practical, football-loving fiancé whose upcoming marriage to Elyse anchors the group. He is loyal, cautious about commitment, and often the moral center, trying to balance friendship with his own future. His vulnerability surfaces as he contends with tradition, desire, and the expectations of those around him.

Boogie is a hairdresser and law student who loves bets and bravado. He braids flirtation, risk-taking, and loyalty to friends, getting in trouble with a scheme that threatens his relationships. His charm hides a fear of debts catching up with him, and he grudgingly faces the consequences.

Fenwick is the mischievous free spirit who disrupts the Nativity scene and causes trouble, yet also provides moments of relief and extraction from the tension. He ultimately tries to help with paying Boogie's debt, revealing a messy but affectionate loyalty to his friends.

Shrevie is a married man with a passion for his record collection, often flaring up at disruptions and managing marital friction. He balances domestic duties with his friend group, ultimately seeking harmony with his wife Beth.

Modell is part of the core circle, serving as a steady presence who supports the group's bonds and occasionally offers reflective commentary on their choices and the night's events.

Billy is Eddie's friend who navigates his own romantic entanglements while standing up to old rivals. He also anchors the night with a bold musical finale that caps the friendships' arc.

Beth is Shrevie's wife, a fixture in the group who seeks stability and reconciliation. She shares past history with Boogie and becomes part of the couple's journey toward forgiveness.

Elyse is Eddie's fiancée who takes a football knowledge test as a test of their compatibility, highlighting the couple's shared interests and the stakes of their impending marriage.

Carol is Boogie's date whose reaction to being groped becomes a catalyst for the night’s drama. Her illness removes the obstacle for Boogie to chase the debt, underscoring how misadventures ripple through relationships.

Barbara works at a local TV station and becomes involved with Billy; she learns she is pregnant, which complicates her relationships and puts marriage on a more decisive path.

Jane is an equestrienne who appears as a date for Boogie and serves as a foil to the other girls' social dynamics. Her interactions reveal the contrasts between flirtation and commitment.

Diane is one of the women invited to share the night with Billy and his friends; she embodies the social whirl and moments of carefree fun that thread through the film.

Bagel is the trusted family friend who operates as the bookmaker and ultimately pays off the debt that drives the central tension of the film.

Tank is the intimidating bookie who represents the pressure of gambling culture that tests every character's choices and threatens their finances and reputations.