Getting away from the vintage drug theme, here is one of my fav "little" movies ever. Five Corners by Tony Bill. Produced by George Harrison's Handmade Films, this one features John Tuturro, Jodie Foster and Tim Robbins.
Tuturro plays Heinz Sabatini, home from jail after attempting to rape Jodie Foster years prior. His return to the Five Corners neighborhood is not well received and drama follows. Tony Bill once referred to this as his "monster movie".
I recommend it to those of you in or familiar with the NYC and Brooklyn/Bronx areas for its local color and to the rest of you for it's gentle brilliance and subtle comedy. Oh yeah, it stars out slow and takes a while to kick into gear.