Diggstown

I remember the first time  saw this brilliant film. I was like 12, and it was a Friday night, pizza night, movie night and Diggstown was that evening's movie. It follows a con man fresh out of prison looking to score big time. Gabriel Caine (Woods) ends up in a boxing town named for the former heavyweight Champion Charles Macum Diggs. The town is Diggstown, and the only thing to do here is box or watch people box. Diggstown is now being run, more or less, by John Gillon. Gillon is played by Bruce Dern in one of his best performances - The 'burbs aside. So, Gabriel moseys into town, heads to the local boxing facility, and insults the fighters right to Gillon's face. He then claims he knows a guy who could fight and beat any 10 Diggstown boxers in a 24 hour period. Intrigued, John makes a wager on this. Small for him, but huge for Gabriel. Now Gabe just needs a fighter. "Honey" Roy Palmer (Gossett Jr.) is that fighter. He is 48 years old, hasn't boxed in years, and doesn't like Gabe very much. They used to be partners, but that went south. Differences aside, they go after Gillon and his fighters. Honey Roy has little time to train before his first fight. The fighting is good action, but the story around Gillon and Caine is really where it's at. As the 24 hours withers away, the bets get bigger and bigger. Fighters are bribed, and even killed if they don't give 110% for Gillon. Honey Roy has something to prove. Not ot himself, but to Caine, who he says ruined his chance at the championship. The comic relief is played by the always funny Oliver Platt. 8 fighters down and 2 to go. This is when it goes from ordinary to extremely interesting. It has now turned into a game of wits....and it looks like Gillon has the upper hand. Most the fights are quick, but as is expected, the last one is the pressure cooker. I love this film. The corruption inside this small community is baffling. Can "Honey" Roy win an entire town for his former friend? Watch and see.

NBM rates Diggstown - Phenomenal