SnoopyStyle Gabriel Caine (James Woods) is a con who helps others escape from prison. He gets released. With the help of fellow inmate Wolf Forrester (Randall 'Tex' Cobb)'s sister Emily (Heather Graham) and his partner Fitz (Oliver Platt), he is setting up a con in boxing obsessed Diggstown. He loses a bet to John Gillon (Bruce Dern) when he commands a boxer to take a dive. Corrupt Gillon owns the town. Gillon's son loses his new car to Fitz. Charles Macum Diggs, the namesake of the town, knocked out 5 fighters in one day. Fitz claims that "Honey" Roy Palmer (Louis Gossett Jr.) could knock out 10 Diggstown men in 24 hours. Fitz ends up betting $100k to Gillon's $10k with Gabe's backing.The most interesting thing is finding out what the con actually is because the bet is so lopsided. Woods is a great con man. It's a role that he's built for. Oliver Platt is a terrific sidekick. LGJ has some good chemistry with Woods. The con is a bit weak. It relies a bit too much on Honey's boxing and Gillon's hubris. I hoped for a more inventive con or at least a way to show that Gabe is somehow maneuvering the pieces every inch of the way.

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.

gtbaddy I caught this movie on cable this evening and was pleasantly surprised -- the synopsis in TV guide made it sound like a real junker, but I figured any movie with James Woods is worth a shot. The plot is very original and the acting was great by everyone involved. James Woods plays the role of a conman to perfection, and Oliver Platt was amazing as well even though this is a very different type of part for him. I thought Louis Gossett Jr did a good job also, especially considering I couldn't think of a single movie I had seen of his before with the exception of the 'Iron Eagle' movies when I was younger, so his performance was really a surprise for me. This is definitely worth the time and money to go out and rent if you are in the mood for something different.

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!