Diggstown
"Hilarious, irresistible. First rate." - Vincent Canby, The New York Times
The con is on, and so are the laughs in this two-fisted comedy packed with surprises and "rock 'em sock 'em action" (David Sheehan, KNBC). James Woods and Academy Award winner Louis Gossett, Jr. are a potent one-two punch as a pair of mismatched partners in for the scam of their lives in a "movie that's hard to resist" (Gene Siskel, Chicago Tribune).
For con artist Gabriel Caine (Woods),Diggstown is the promised land, legendary for its high-stakes boxing matches that attract high-rollers from miles around. Gabe, recognizing a golden opportunity, bets the town's powerful boss (Bruce Dern) that his fighter will defeat ten opponents in 24 hours. It's far from a sure thing, though, since Gabe's Fighter is Honey Roy Palmer (Gossett), a cranky, over-the-hill 48-year-old who has just come out of retirement. But Roy comes out swinging, pulverizing one contender after another, leading to a final exciting bout that may decide the ownership of the town itself!
Critiques des membres
It's a Guy Movie - Stitch
The above reviews and summary describe the plot and genre: it’s a classic con game movie, albeit a bit over the top. There’s no love interest, not unusual for the target market. It’s testosterone loaded, but not the Bruce Willis tough-guy-with-heart-of-gold variety. So I'd guess very few women are going to buy this for their collection!
The cast was well chosen. James Wood fits as the smart-ass hustler (with a reluctant heart), Bruce Dern obviously enjoyed hamming it up as the villain, and Louis Gossett Jr. is stolid and believable as the aging boxer. Parenthetically, playing up his character’s resilience made me recall his work ethic...this guy is ubiquitous on TV and elsewhere. One of my favorite character actors.
There are so many plot twists you wonder if a fair bit was made up as they went along. The intent of the scam is obvious from the beginning but the plot contortions to retain a hint of plausibility are unusually inventive (and unbelievable but who cares). And like a better than average film of this type, a tragic element is introduced to make the ending morally justifiable so we go away satisfied it was not “just the money”. Typical for Hollywood movies back when audiences were more insistent on happy endings.
Using Oliver Platt as Fitz also ups the human interest quotient. He is specifically suited to this role, generating sympathy just when we’ve pretty well soured on the whole lot.
The whole film has an inordinate amount of pretty gory rough stuff not of the fantasy or battlefield variety. I had a little difficulty with this aspect; it was a bit gratuitous in places. Not characteristic of the really fine sting films. Having said that, the fight scene brutality was appropriate.
Some of the scenes are too violent and realistic for pre-teens (in my opinion).Be Conned - BottomLine
Bottom Line: This film is a better con than the one it portrays. Sly, smart, and surprisingly rewarding, the movie starts off pretending that it's only an orthodox genre con-film, but it soon develops its own unique quirks and twists. Even though all the ordinary genre props have their places--the last "big score," the villain who "owns the town," the dead friend's gorgeous sister--it never quite feels pat. And of course it has a great twist ending. Rent with low expectations and prepare to enjoy.A Knockout! - dexx74
This is a great hustle movie. It has intrigue, it slows enough to throw you right back in the action and it is a great cat and mouse chase thriller. James Woods shines in this, as well as the supporting cast, Louis Gossett Jr, Oliver Platt, Bruce Dern, and even a young Heather Graham. There is no romance between Woods and Graham as the summary implies, but there is the love of betting and fight fixing in this movie, there is even great humor. You can sit back and enjoy the fights!
Critiques des membres
Lire tous...
It's a Guy Movie - Stitch
The above reviews and summary describe the plot and genre: it’s a classic con game movie, albeit a bit over the top. There’s no love interest, not unusual for the target market. It’s testosterone loaded, but not the Bruce Willis tough-guy-with-heart-of-gold ...Be Conned - BottomLine
Bottom Line: This film is a better con than the one it portrays. Sly, smart, and surprisingly rewarding, the movie starts off pretending that it's only an orthodox genre con-film, but it soon develops its own unique quirks and twists. Even though all the ...A Knockout! - dexx74
This is a great hustle movie. It has intrigue, it slows enough to throw you right back in the action and it is a great cat and mouse chase thriller. James Woods shines in this, as well as the supporting cast, Louis Gossett Jr, Oliver Platt, Bruce Dern, and ...