Is Diamond Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2013)
In the downtown area, the "Kitano-gumi" Yakuza organization has deep roots. With its old-school Yakuza spirit, it has been trusted by the local community. The organization’s baseba...
✨ The Quick Verdict
If you are a fan of cinema, then Diamond offers a standard experience that justifies its existence in the 2013 landscape.
👥 Target Audience
📔 Detailed Analysis
📖 The Core Premise
Diamond stands as a 2013 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the various landscape. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "In the downtown area, the "Kitano-gumi" Yakuza organization has deep roots. With its old-school Yakuza spirit, it has been trusted by the local community. The organization’s baseball team, led by former professional baseball player and young boss Nishida (played by Yoshihiko Takahashi), is popular in the area, filled with former baseball players. However, the town is being swallowed by the redevelopment plans of the wealthy SFF Company. With no tourism resources, the downtown area has turned into a shuttered shopping district. One day, the chairman of the local merchants' association, who had been showing desperate resistance, mysteriously dies. The Kitano-gumi, suspicious of the police’s handling of the case as an accident, begins its own investigation. The organization uncovers a connection to SFF Company and a shadowy new group from Kansai, the Fujinami-gumi. This sets the stage for the conflict between the Kitano-gumi and the Fujinami-gumi..."
🎬 Performance & Direction
A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Yoshihiko Takahashi attempts to elevate the material, but the direction leaves them with little to work with. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good cinema. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.
🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)
Is Diamond worth your time? If you appreciate various films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.
🏆 Final Verdict
Ultimately, Diamond misses the mark on several fronts.
With a runtime of 67 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.
Our recommendation: Skip It.
⏳ Time Investment
At approximately 1.1 hours, the film requires a standard time commitment.