Diamond Men (2000)

81% of critics liked it
(62 reviews)
50% of users liked it
(1,208 ratings)

A veteran salesman is forced to make way for a young drummer and has some improbable adventures along the way in this comedy-drama. Eddie (Robert Forster) has worked for over 30 years as a travelling jewelry salesman, but after he's stricken with a heart attack, he discovers he's no longer eligible… More A veteran salesman is forced to make way for a young drummer and has some improbable adventures along the way in this comedy-drama. Eddie (Robert Forster) has worked for over 30 years as a travelling jewelry salesman, but after he's stricken with a heart attack, he discovers he's no longer eligible for insurance. Given the fact that he routinely travels with a stash of goods worth up to a million dollars, this development means that he's going to have to give up working on the road. Bobby (Donnie Wahlberg) is the young salesman who is first in line to take over Eddie's route. Though Eddie doesn't think much of reckless Bobby, he takes him on the road to show him the ropes. As they spend some time together, Eddie takes a liking to Bobby, who wants to show Eddie his gratitude for teaching him how to sell in the big leagues. Bobby takes him to a combination roadhouse and brothel for an evening's entertainment, but things get sticky when jewel thieves track the two men to the club. Diamond Men also features Bess Armstrong and Jasmine Guy as a pair of working girls Eddie and Bobby meet in the course of their adventures. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Dan Cohen, Dan Cohen (III)
Written By: Daniel M. Cohen
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Sep 28, 2001 Wide
On DVD: Feb 11, 2003
Studio: Lions Gate Films

Critic Reviews

Robert K. Elder, Chicago Tribune
Sacrificing excellent characters to an ultimately lame payoff, Diamond Men's potential as a diamond in the rough turn out to be more 'rough' than 'diamond.'
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News
Stilted, bland and two-dimensional.
Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle
Delightful, low-key comedy.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
Pacing and story problems aside, this is as fine a showcase for Forster, Armstrong and Wahlberg as they could want, a real actor's picture.
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
... yet another variation of the mentor-protege movie -- and one of the best.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
It is a treasure.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
An excellently performed, superbly written film
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
...a lost classic, a beautiful miniature evocation of a unconventional, minor-key way of life.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...an incredibly entertaining look at a pair of exceedingly compelling characters.
Ross Anthony, Hollywood Report Card
A mildly pleasant film with two charming leads.
Gary Brown, Houston Community Newspapers
...a wonderful character study with an unforgettable acting performance by Robert Forster.
Doug Brunell, Film Threat
What this film does, which other genre movies often neglect to do, is remind us that we are all people who don't always act the way you'd think we should.
Jean Lowerison, San Diego Metropolitan
The film means well but lacks punch, edginess or anything else that would make it memorable.
Mark Halverson, Sacramento News & Review
It's certainly a gem.
Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
This well-acted film is a nifty little change of pace.
Sean Means, Salt Lake Tribune
One of those rare small movies that come out of nowhere and surprise you with their unassuming charm, wily intelligence and graceful acting.
David Elliott, San Diego Union-Tribune
Cohen serves his actors smartly, and though the film has no artistic weight, it has the craft of a story firmly committed to good characters.
Ella Taylor, L.A. Weekly
The movie is warmed by a fine sense of place and the lovingly elaborated detail of the salesman's life.
Tom Keogh, Seattle Times
Wahlberg looks like a rising star, while the seasoned Forster manifests his usual sober authority and approachable masculinity.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Walter M

[font=Century Gothic]In "Diamond Men", Eddie Miller(Robert Forster) has been a traveling diamond salesman for the past thirty years in central Pennsylvania but because of a recent heart attack, he cannot be insured anymore. The only chance he has to keep his job is to train… More
[font=Century Gothic]In "Diamond Men", Eddie Miller(Robert Forster) has been a traveling diamond salesman for the past thirty years in central Pennsylvania but because of a recent heart attack, he cannot be insured anymore. The only chance he has to keep his job is to train his successor, Bobby Walker(Donnie Wahlberg), a brash newcomer, whose only experience is maintaining vending machines.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"Diamond Men" is a modest slice-of-life movie that is as much about respecting the traditions of the past and small towns, as it is about not fearing what will come next. And it is helped enormously by a splendid performance by Robert Forster. But I don't know how I feel about the ending.[/font]
Jeffrey M

A little uneven in tone and pace, but made largely enjoyable by a well written script and Robert Forster.

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Diamond Men (2000)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Walter M

Jeffrey M

Cast

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