Diamond Jim: A Hungry Man in a Gilded Cage

Is it worth a watch?

If you like movies from the 30s that don't take themselves too seriously, you’ll probably get a kick out of this. It’s got that snappy, slightly cynical edge that happens when you have someone like Preston Sturges working on the script. If you’re looking for a strict historical account of Brady’s life, you’re going to be disappointed. It’s definitely not for the people who need their biopics to be super dry and factual.

Edward Arnold is really the whole show here. He’s got this way of making a guy who buys jewelry by the pound seem actually… sweet? It’s a weird trick to pull off.

There’s this one scene where he’s just eating, and it goes on forever. It’s not just eating—it’s like he’s trying to swallow the entire Gilded Age in one sitting. I kept thinking about how much he must have had to rehearse that scene just to keep from getting sick.

Jean Arthur is great, obviously. She’s the only one who seems to know what kind of movie they’re making while everyone else is just kind of wandering around in fancy costumes.

The Vibes

The movie is weirdly lonely. For a guy who spends all his money to impress everyone, Jim ends up looking pretty pathetic in the corners of these big, crowded sets. It reminded me a bit of the way people chase status in Sunny Side Up, even if the tone is totally different.

• The jewelry budget must have been astronomical.
• The lighting in the restaurant scenes is so harsh it feels like an interrogation.
• I’m still not sure if the romance is supposed to be tragic or just funny.

There's this moment near the middle where a character walks in, and for about thirty seconds, nobody speaks. It’s just heavy silence and the sound of someone pouring a drink in the background. It feels less like a choice and more like someone forgot to yell 'cut'. It's charming, in a clumsy way.

It’s definitely a better watch than some of the more stiff dramas from that era, like The Nest. It’s got a bit more dirt under its fingernails, even if it is wearing a tuxedo. Don't go in expecting a masterpiece, but you'll probably have a good time watching a man eat a dozen oysters in one go.

Honestly, the ending feels like it just kind of gave up. It stops, rather than finishes. But I didn't really mind. I was ready for a snack by then anyway. 🥂