Der blaue Diamant: A dusty relic with some charm

Should you bother?

If you have a thing for vintage German cinema or just want something that doesn't demand you check your phone every five minutes, Der blaue Diamant might be your speed. It’s not going to change your life, but it’s got that specific, cozy vibe you only find in movies from this period.

Fans of classic, low-stakes capers will probably get a kick out of it. If you need pacing that moves faster than a brisk walk, you’ll likely find it painfully slow. Honestly, it’s a bit of a relic.

The circus vs. the office

The whole premise of a guy leaving the circus to work for his girlfriend's dad is… well, it’s a choice. Hermann is clearly more comfortable dangling from a rope than staring at ledgers. You can practically see him itching to get back on the trapeze whenever he’s stuck behind a mahogany desk.

There’s this one scene where he’s trying so hard to look like a professional jeweler. He just looks like a guy who’s forgotten how to stand still. It’s kind of endearing, honestly.

Then the diamond vanishes, and suddenly the movie forgets it was ever a romantic comedy. It shifts gears into this weird, slightly dusty thriller mode. The transition is jarring, almost like the movie tripped over its own feet.

Small observations

• The jewelry shop set looks like it’s held together by tape and optimism.
• The way characters deliver lines feels like they’re shouting at someone in the back row of a theater.
• I’m still not sure where that diamond actually went, but at this point, who cares?

It reminds me a little bit of the pacing issues in The Grey Automobile, where you’re just waiting for the next plot beat to actually show up. Sometimes the silence in the room lingers so long you start counting the dust motes in the air. It’s weirdly hypnotic.

The acting isn't what I'd call subtle. Everyone is projecting at maximum volume. It’s not bad, just very much a product of its time. It’s like watching a stage play that got lost on the way to the screen.

If you’ve seen A Game of Wits, you know the type of charm I’m talking about here. It isn't trying to be deep. It’s just trying to keep you interested for an hour or so. Most of the time, it succeeds, even when the logic starts to fray at the edges.

Don't expect a masterpiece. Just expect a movie that’s happy to exist in its own little corner of the world. 💎