Diamond Men (2000)

Too much of everything

The Worst Film Ever

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Eddie (Robert Forster) is a top jewelry salesman for his Pennsylvania company. As he carries diamonds quietly to the small cities of the state, a great many mom-and-pop jewelry stores buy his wares. Until one fateful day, that is. Eddie has a heart attack and, although he recovers, his company wants to let him go because he is a liability for guarding the precious gems he carries with him. Begging for his job as a source of stability for this new widower, his firm finally relents. The catch? He must train a new, brash underling named Bobby (Donnie Wahlberg) in the ways of selling to smaller operations. Its a mismatch from day one. Eddie favors jazz, Bobby likes rock. Eddie is a reserved, quietly attractive man while Bobby, fairly cute, chases various woman while getting inebriated. But, when push comes to shove, Bobby breaks down and tells Eddie he needs this job desperately, so could they just "get along"? Slowly, a relationship builds. But, is Eddie only training Bobby as his eventual replacement? Will noble Ed still have a position? We shall see but in the meantime, several unexpected events occur. Do you like surprising endings? This slow moving, reflective film is a jewel, truly, for those who don't need non-stop thrills. Forster gives the performance of a lifetime as good guy Eddie, someone very admirable in a world of conniving jerks. Wahlberg, too, surprises with a strong, sensitive turn. Bess Armstrong and Jasmine Guy provide great support. Its an unusual treat to visit small cities in PA while the outstanding script and sure direction enchant the viewer. Truly, this film is a precious stone among many zircon-like movies.

Great road movie with excellent character development. Unfairly being "rightsized" out of his 30 year diamond sales job, "old timer" Robert Forster, is put on the road to train his successor. This uneasy situation eventually leads to mutual respect, and better understanding of each other. The heartless big company that they now both have to deal with is a perfect example of the "throw away" mentality used by companies to further their own gain at the expense of loyal employees. All I can say is that if you have ever been "let go", you will cherish this film, because in the end things get surprisingly gratifying for our mismatched salesmen. The movie is a winner, and is highly recommended. - MERK

Robert Forster has made many movies in his career, however I can't name one of them, until now. The dynamic duo of Donnie Wahlberg and Robert Forster was unexpected.Forster plays a traveling diamond salesman in the business 30 years, when he has a heart attack, and the company he works for begins to lose faith in him. He's forced to team up with the new trainee, Wahlberg. Forster begins to teach Wahlberg the tricks of the trade, however, at first Wahlberg doesn't want to listen. He's more interested in hooking up with girls and partying. As time goes on, a special kind of friendship begins to form.At various points along their journey they stop off at a massage parlor to "relax." Let me just say you will never forget the girl with the giant eyeball tattoo on her chest. If you can find a way to see this movie, then just see it, you won't regret it.I don't want to sum this movie up in euphemisms, but I left the theater (when I saw it at the Stony Brook film festival in 2000) in awe. The audience applauded and it won the audience award that year.I was hoping Dan Cohen made some other great movies, but according to IMDb, he hasn't. Anyway, I recently bought it on DVD, and the second time around, 8 years later, it's equally as great. GO SEE IT!

Another in the genre of "Average Guys Have Feelings Too". Grainy film, home movie locations, good character roles, well played. The story is engaging, despite its worn character types. Forster as Eddie is perfectly cast and works his minimalist magic. Wahlberg as Bobbie is trying to be Brando at times, but manages to show some range of acting skill. Katie, as played by Bess Armstrong, is well written and adds needed depth just in time to the flat story line. Katie and Eddie end up being just as unethical and immoral as the rest of the blue world they occupy. The twist at the film's end, in my opinion, gives the story a flat tire. A good story, but too cynical.