Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A real sleeper--well-written, superbly acted., September 27, 2001
"Diamond Men" is one of those low-budget charmers that inhabits its own little world, far away from Hollywood glitz, and does so very persuasively. Eddie, a diamond salesman with 30 years' experience, can no longer get insured for the road after a heart attack, so his only chance to stay in business is to train his young, hotdogging replacement, Bobby. The first half of the movie is about the clash between wise, low-key Eddie and brash, fun-loving Bobby, and the unlikely friendship that arises between them. The second half--most of which takes place, improbably, in a backwoods massage parlor--has more to do with the reawakening of love and hope. Unfortunately, it also leads to a twist ending that feels rather cheap after the sharp authenticity of what has come before. One could also complain about the low budget showing in the occasionally rough photography and editing. Nevertheless, "Diamond Men" is well worth seeing for its needle-sharp dialogue and memorable characters. The lead performers are superb. Robert Forster--an actor who projects both imperturbable cool and rock-solid decency--is the perfect Eddie, and Donnie Wahlberg--Mark's brother and a former New Kid on the Block--is the archetypal lovable scamp as Bobby.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Diamond Men is a real gem, December 9, 2001
I particularly liked this movie because it is a strong and interesting story about people I could know. Its not set in some fantasy world, but in small town America. It addresses real problems that we encounter;like losing your job and having to train your younger replacement, with empathy and wit and keen psychological insight. Its only weakness is that it is not slickly filmed, but the content and acting performances far outweight the cinematic special effects. Its a film I have thought about a lot since I first viewed it last summer at a preview for a film class I attend. I have since voted it my personal favorite film for the year of all the films we viewed.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Diamond Men, June 3, 2002
One of the best movies I've seen in a very long time. The changing relationship between the seasoned, but soon to be unemployed diamond salesman, and the brash young man he is asked to train as his replacement is developed beautifully. Forster and Wahlberg are superb! Bess Armstrong as a not-so-young woman with a questionable past plays the part to perfection and is just as beautiful as she was twenty years ago. She, as Katie, and the young but quick learner replacement both play sensitive roles in bringing back the meaning of life to the older salesman. This is a "don't miss" movie from the opening credits to the surprise ending. I hope it goes to videotape when the movie run is finished.
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