(1999)
2.5
Dan Friedman
Diamonds is somewhat of a formulaic family-bonding/road movie, but it's notable for a couple of reasons. It features Kirk Douglas as a recovering stroke victim, which may be the only role he is able to play these days, but as one of his first roles after his illness, it is remarkable that he is still able to have such a powerful presence onscreen. Secondly, the plot involves a small mystery concerning some missing diamonds that, while not setting the convention on it's ear, is still engaging enough to break up the two sometimes tiresome father-son story lines involving Douglas and his son, played by a likable Dan Aykroyd, and Aykroyd and his son, played by Corbin Allred. These relationships too often fall into the cliché of the squabbling parents and children, but in the other relationships, particularly between Allred and Douglas, the chemistry is very real and at times can pull at the heartstrings a bit without becoming a cloying feature. The whole concept of the trip and the search for the diamonds is a good framing device, but it falls victim to the obvious desire of the filmmakers to showcase Douglas and make broad statements about familial relationships. One very funny sequence involves a visit by the three men to a bordello where they each have very different experiences. Allred is paired off with Jenny McCarthy, who, say what you will about her, is very good in small comedic roles. The madam, played by Lauren Bacall, is also a very humorous part and the whole sequence involving Douglas and the prostitutes is hysterical. The ending is a little too tidy and predictable, but this film should not raise anyone's outlook to expect otherwise. Bacall and Douglas are a charming pairing seen onscreen only once before in Young Man With a Horn. Diamonds is very well-crafted and competent, but isn't going to break any new ground. Fortunately, it doesn't have to.
Diamonds on AllMovie
Diamonds (1999)
