By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Dan Cohen
Starring: Bess Armstrong | Donnie Wahlberg | Robert Forster
Country: united_states
Year: 2001
Running time: 100
IMDB: http://us.imdb.com/Details?0200427
Diane says: “DIAMOND MEN features Chlotrudis’ new best friend, Robert Forster (whose role in LAKEBOAT I very highly recommend) as a traveling diamond salesman on his way out. (His daughter, Kate Forster, is co-producer and has a bit role.) Both Forster and Donnie Wahlberg do great jobs with their parts, starting out as oil and water as Forster teaches the trade to his young replacement. But some of the scenes between Forster and love interest Bess Armstrong struck me as too much like a commercial for some senior citizen medication. I would have been happy had the story been limited to the two salesmen, sans romance and crime element. Some fresh scenes and developments, some Hallmark scenes.” 3 cats
Laura says: “A true Indie with some lovely moments and nice acting – Robert Forster and Donnie Wahlberg are really good together.” 3 cats
For Laura’s complete review: “http://www.reelingreviews.com/diamondmen.htm”
Michael says: “Now here’s the kind of independent film I wish more people would see. DIAMOND MEN stars Robert Forster (JACKIE BROWN) as Eddie and Donnie Wahlberg (SOUTHIE) as Bobby, two travelling salesmen dealing in diamonds. After Eddie suffers a heart attack, the company he works for wants to replace him with a new young hotshot, Bobby. To make matters worse, the only way they will keep him on is if he trains Bobby and shows him the ropes. The rest of the plot sounds on paper to be a predictable, cliche-ridden tale as each teaches the other something and after trials and tribulations, both come out better
in the end.
“But writer/director Dan Cohen doesn’t go the easy route, and while the end result is the same, this is much more a character piece with really strong performances by the two leads and a neat plot twist at the end to boot! The humor was welcome, the characters were interesting… and we learn about
them naturally and throughout the film… not the usual force-fed manner in which Hollywood films often employ. Great supporting role form Bess Armstrong
as well.
“I highly recommend this film and expect that Forster, and possibly Wahlberg will be potential nominees come January.” 4 1/2 cats
Robin says: “There is a palpable chemistry between Forster and Wahlberg as the two very different, generationally separated diamond men have to first, tolerate each other (especially Eddie towards Bobby), then, accept each other and, eventually and believably, become good friends.” 3 cats
For Robin’s complete review: “http://www.reelingreviews.com/diamondmen.htm“