Diamonds 3 and 1/2 Stars (Out of 4) Reviewed by Mac VerStandig critic@moviereviews.org http://www.moviereviews.org January 3, 2000
---A copy of this review can be found at http://www.moviereviews.org/diamonds.htm ---
---Those of you in the Portland, Maine area can hear Mac VerStandig's film reviews every Friday morning on the 98.9 The Point morning show.---
Diamonds is a thoroughly enjoyable piece which owes its success to a remarkable ensemble cast and beautiful script that wisely shies away from devilish cliches and over-the-top poignancy for which many similar relationship films sell their souls. Those seeking a masculine version of movies like Anywhere But Here and fans of stars Kirk Douglas, Dan Akroyd and Lauren Bacall as well as teens seeking a peak of Jenny McCarthy (who keeps her clothes on- well, sort of anyway) should find this movie to be a true treat.
Harry (Kirk Douglas), Lance (Dan Akroyd) and Michael (Corbin Allred) represent three generations of the same family. Harry, once a boxer known as the Polish Prince, fondly remembers his days as the welterweight champion of the world. He hasn't had sex in 8 years. Lance is somewhere in his midlife crisis as he fights for his son's attention and respect despite a recent divorce. He hasn't had sex since his wife and he split up. Michael is battling high school and coping with the aforementioned divorce. He has only been to second base once.
The three generations set out on a road trip to Reno, Nevada in search of precious diamonds that lend the film its title. With Reno comes one of the most enjoyable casino scenes since Dustin Hoffman counted cards in Rain Man (Lance cheats at poker in a most amusing fashion), an unforgettable trip to a bordello that occupies nearly 1/3 of the film and mended relationships among the three once angry relatives.
Kirk Douglas plays a stroke victim who insists that his condition is merely "G-d's way of trying to make me shut up." Douglas is truly inspiring and it would not be unjust for him to receive a best actor nomination accordingly. Dan Akroyd reprises his confused-but-well-meaning-father role previously seen in both My Girl movies. In doing so, he shows that, despite enormous name recognition, he is one of Hollywood's most underused assets. The biggest surprise comes from a rather small role tackled by former Playmate Jenny McCarthy as, surprisingly enough, a call-girl. She shows the expected sexual character that her role calls for as well as a very sweet, girl-next-door persona that give her scenes an added oomph and her character more depth than any whore since Julia Roberts' lead role in Pretty Woman. Lauren Bacall rounds out the grade-A cast playing a madam.
Harry, the former boxer, was never a heavyweight. Rather, he was a welterweight at the top of his division. Similarly, Diamonds isn't a heavyweight film. There are no massive effects or even $20 million stars. But don't be mistaken, the film is at the top of its league and can still deliver a knock-out punch.
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