Michael_Elliott Diggstown (1992) *** 1/2 (out of 4) If you're wanting an art-house picture then this here won't be for you but if you want non-stop entertainment then DIGGSTOWN really delivers the goods. Con man Gabriel Caine (James Woods) gets released from prison and is looking for the next big score and finds it in a hick town ran by John Gillon (Bruce Dern). Caine makes a bet that his boxer (Louis Gossett, Jr.) can take ten men in a 24-hour period. DIGGSTOWN pretty much went unattended in theaters when it was first released due to a really bad campaign and that's a real shame because there's so much to enjoy here. Not only do you have some great performances, a wonderful setting and some terrific fight scenes but you've also got a pretty good little drama mixed in. The movie is a prime example of something that isn't dumbed down for mainstream audiences yet at the same time it doesn't try to be some high class art film. What it is is a straight-forward, tough, mean and downright fun little gem that manages to be entertaining from start to finish. The film is certainly very manipulative because there are some moments that go over-the-top but you still can't help but be entertained. Woods is masterful playing the fast-talking con man and you really can't think of an actor who could have done a better job. The way that smirk just shows how conning he is is just perfect for the part. Gossett is an easy figure to cheer for and he really makes you care about the character. It's easy to say that this was the actors best part since AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN and he certainly delivers the goods. Oliver Platt is fun as one of the assistant con men and we get Heather Graham in a nice supporting role. Randall 'Tex' Cobb has a fun stint in the film as does character actor Marshall Bell. Dern also does a wonderful job in the role of the bad guy and just when you think you can't hate him any more the screenplay and actor make you reach a boiling point. Every film like this needs a great villain and Dern certainly delivers the goods. The ten boxing scenes are all extremely well-filmed and I'd argue that they're some of the most entertaining ever put on film. There's certainly not RAGING BULL quality but they didn't need to be. The film has enough twists and turns to keep a smile on your face and in the end DIGGSTOWN is just a flat out charmer.

aimless-46 Although its genre is "comedy", you will be hard pressed to find many laughs in "Diggstown" (1992). The fights scenes won't make you forget "Raging Bull" but they are nicely staged and relatively entertaining.The film is really just a long episode of "The Rockford Files", without James Garner. Rockford regulars James Woods and Louis Gossett Jr. have the two biggest parts as they run a Rockford- style con on Bruce Dern-who plays a slim version of Boss Hogg. Woods bets Dern that his aging fighter (Gossett) can defeat ten opponents in 24 hours. Heather Graham fans should not expect much, she looks great but her part is very small and seems tacked onto the story as an excuse to get her name associated with the film. Oliver Platt ("Ready to Rumble") and Gossett give the strongest performances.Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

Duke Nobles A really nice guy movie. Some language, very few sexual overtones, great boxing sequences. Great guy movie to watch with a younger audience or with a girlfriend. OR just a great movie for a lady into boxing! Louis Gossett Jr. is great. He portrays his character of an aging boxing ringer very well. He was in pretty good shape and whoever was fight choreographer (probably Benny "the jet" Urquidez) did a really nice job of showing some intricacies of old school "dirty boxing".James Wood and Oliver Platt are hilarious as a pair of con men.Bruce Dern is, as always, a villain you love to hate.it has a serious tone, but with the occasional joke to keep this film from becoming tense.i'd recommend it to anyone that likes a good fight movie. its not high theater, but it sure is entertaining.

Goofyten *SPOILERS CONTAINED* When I first saw Diggstown about 10 years ago I thought it was awesome. Diggstown is a movie about a huge con that, with a little luck and some great conning, works perfectly for Gabriel Caine(woods) and co.This movie has pretty much everything; Action, laughs, inspiration, and of course Motivation. And how could you not cheer when Caine gives the thumbs down sign to Minoso Torres. Great movie. 5 out of 5 stars!