It provides a charming showcase for an actor [Forster] whose lack of stardom will never be adequately explained.
Diamond Men (2001)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:62
Fresh:50
Rotten:12
Average Rating:7/10
Consensus: Robert Forster's tour-de-force performance, along with Daniel M. Cohen's sensitive direction and subtly shaded screenplay, brings rare heft to this mentor/protégé buddy film.
Runtime: 1 hr 40 mins
Genre: Dramas
Theatrical Release:Sep 7, 2001 Limited
Synopsis: Eddie (Robert Forster) is an aging traveling diamond salesman from the old school of dealers who developed longstanding relationships with their clients and prided themselves in their knowledge of... Eddie (Robert Forster) is an aging traveling diamond salesman from the old school of dealers who developed longstanding relationships with their clients and prided themselves in their knowledge of the trade. He is faced with a demotion when the new management of his company deems him too high a risk for carrying their expensive cache of diamonds. His last assignment is to train a rookie salesman, Bobby (Donnie Wahlberg), whose only job experience is in servicing vending machines and whose cocky sales tactics promise to alienate Eddie's hard-won clientele. Needless to say, the relationship between the two men gets off to a less than amiable start. Eventually, though, the two find that each has something valuable to offer the other. DIAMOND MEN represents an impressive contribution to Daniel Cohen's early directing efforts. The film's quirky plotline and sincere, understated character portrayals are a winning combination. The unlikely match of Wahlberg and Forster creates a wonderfully funny tension that eventually blossoms into endearing friendship. [More]
Starring: Donnie Wahlberg, Robert Forster, Bess Armstrong, Jasmine Guy
Starring: Donnie Wahlberg, Robert Forster, Bess Armstrong, Jasmine Guy, Kristin Minter, Kate Forster, George Coe, Nikki Fritz, Glen Phillips
Director: Daniel M. Cohen
Director: Daniel M. Cohen
Screenwriter: Daniel M. Cohen
Producer: Daniel M. Cohen
Composer: Garrett Parks
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Reviews for Diamond Men
Forster finally gets the kind of Gene Hackman-like star part his revived career deserves, and he does himself proud.
... yet another variation of the mentor-protege movie -- and one of the best.
...a wonderful character study with an unforgettable acting performance by Robert Forster.
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.
Cohen is himself a former 'diamond man,' which is no doubt why this world has been so perfectly realized for the screen.
The kind of keenly observed, artfully crafted, warmly humane movie that keeps us going through the weekly helping of big-screen duds.
The line between positive senior characters and irritating grotesqueries makes the proceedings first unpleasant and then insufferable.
"Diamond Men" sparkles most...when examining the moments so many would find dull.
There is a palpable chemistry between Forster and Wahlberg as the two very different, generationally separated diamond men...
While this may not be a diamond-in-the-rough, it's certainly better than cubic zirconium - it's a likeable film that fizzles at the end.
Cohen doesn't fall into the Mamet trap of equating crafty salesmanship with macho flim-flam.
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.'
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.
Forster's rich, realistic, heartfelt portrayal elevates Diamond Men even further.
O. Henry huggable, the quaint Diamond Men has nothing but love for growing old and the rebirth of love.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 86% 86% | A Christmas Tale |
| 60% 60% | Paper Heart |
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