DIGGSTOWN

US, 1992, 98 minutes, Colour.
James Woods, Bruce Dern, Louis Gossett Jr, Oliver Platt, Heather Graham.
Directed by Michael Ritchie.

Diggstown (Midnight Sting) is the town where the action takes place. This is a sting movie with James Woods the fast-talking conman in charge, Bruce Dern the corrupt owner of the town, the target, and Louis Gossett Jnr the retired professional boxer who is called on to do all the boxing bouts for the sting. The film was well written and acted, but with the focus on boxing and ten KOs, those who do not like the sport would be advised not to watch. Director is Michael Ritchie, who has made a wide range of films over several decades including Prime Cut, The Candidate, Downhill Racer as well as the Fletch films and the Bad News Bears.

1. A piece of Americana, the focus on boxing, a sting comedy?

2. The prison, Diggstown, the hall for the boxing bouts, the choreography of the boxing? Musical score and songs?

3. James Woods as Gabriel Caine, in prison, the bouts, the information about Diggstown, arranging escapes for the prisoners? The clashes with the authorities and their resentment? His covering his tracks? The conman, his release?

4. The plan for Diggstown, setting up the bout between Wolf and Torres? Fitz as his accomplice, his acting abilities? Going to Diggstown, the bars, the talk, the setting up of the sting? The encounters with Gillon and his son? The meeting with Corsini and the putting up of the money? The setting up of the sting?

5. Palmer, his past, clashes with Gabriel? His wife and her reluctance to welcome Gabriel? Caine's visit, tempting Palmer, the argument, his deciding to go, the training for the bouts?

6. Fitz and his relationship with Gabriel, his con-artist style, playing snooker, leading on the men of the town, the bets?

7. Emily, Wolf's sister, her understanding of the truth, work at the bank, supplying information to Caine?

8. Setting up the bouts, leading Gillon on to bet more? The bribes to Palmer's opponents?

9. Gillon and his place in the town, his nervous energy, control, violence? Friends, the authorities of the town? The story about Diggs and his being drugged, Gillon betting against him? Setting up the ten bouts, his pressure on the opponents, especially Hambone and the threat to hang his brother? The hanging?

10. The fights and the choreography, the range of opponents, the crowd, the bets? Gillon and his watching? Caine's moods changing? Palmer and the fights, desperation? The humorous fights, the serious fights? Hammerhead Hagan and his dominance? Beating Palmer in the past? Palmer watching Diggs sitting in the gallery?

11. The Diggs story, the past, the injuries and his being a vegetable? The pathos of his watching Palmer?

12. The finale, the introduction of Torres? The prison authorities and unmasking Gabriel? The victory?

13. Gillon's son, his arrogance, the betting of the car - and the reaction of his father? Clashes between father and son?

14. The ending, Gillon defeated, Hambone hitting him, financial ruin? The end of the sting and justice being seen to be done?