Watch Diamonds

Diamonds is a 1999 American heist film directed by John Asher and starring Kirk Douglas, Lauren Bacall, and Dan Aykroyd. The movie is a story of a diamond heist that took place in South Africa, involving retired thieves and a precocious young girl. The film opens with Harry Agensky (Kirk Douglas), an aging Jewish former diamond-smuggler, who is released from prison in New York City on parole. He wants nothing more than to return to his homeland of South Africa and reconnect with his long-lost wife, Katie (Olivia d'Abo) and his daughter, whom he has never met. Upon arrival in Johannesburg, he meets an old acquaintance, Lancey Howard (Dan Aykroyd), who has also retired from the diamond game. Lancey gives him a piece of good news that he has discovered a large diamond in a Johannesburg diamond mine. Together, they hatch a plan to steal the diamond and sell it to a millionaire owner of a hotel chain.

Meanwhile, a young girl, Stephanie (Jenny McCarthy), has been left to run her father's diamond-washing business. She is a smart and resourceful teenager who learns about the pair's plot, and blackmails them into taking her along for the ride. The unlikely trio set out on a road trip across the country to collect diamonds needed to pull off the heist.

The film features many subplots, including the story of Stephanie's estrangement from her mother, Arlene (Lauren Bacall), who abandoned her when she was a child. Arlene is now a wealthy and successful businesswoman who is determined to find Stephanie and reconnect with her.

As the story unfolds, the characters find themselves involved in a complicated plot involving double-crosses, betrayal, and unexpected twists. The heist itself proves to be a challenging endeavor for the trio, who face numerous obstacles, including corrupt officials and rival gangsters. Ultimately, they must rely on their wits, courage, and the bonds they have formed along the way, to pull off the heist and come out on top.

The movie is a charming and entertaining comedy-drama that combines elements of the classic heist genre with heartfelt family drama. The performances from the cast are superb, with Kirk Douglas delivering a standout performance as the aging diamond thief looking for redemption. Lauren Bacall's portrayal of the estranged mother adds a layer of depth and emotion to the story. Dan Aykroyd impresses as the retired diamond dealer, and Jenny McCarthy brings a youthful vibrancy to her portrayal of the plucky teenager.

The South African landscapes provide a stunning backdrop to the film, and the director, John Asher, injects the story with plenty of humor, action, and suspense. The screenplay, written by Allan Aaron Katz and Minnie Gray, is witty and well-crafted, with clever dialog, engaging characters, and a solid plot.

In conclusion, for those looking for an entertaining heist movie with a heart, Diamonds is definitely worth watching. It's a fun and exciting film that will keep you engaged from start to finish. The memorable performances and beautiful scenery make it a must-see for fans of Kirk Douglas, Lauren Bacall, and Dan Aykroyd.

Diamonds is a 1999 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5 and a MetaScore of 33.