Just Ask for Diamond (1988)

Just Ask for Diamond Poster

Thirteen-year-old Nick and his slightly dense older brother Herbert run the Diamond Private Detective Agency above Camden Town Tube Station in north-central London. When a master criminal called The Falcon dies, they come into possession of his box of chocolate Maltesers, which contains the secret key to a fabulous cache of diamonds. Can they unravel the mystery and avoid the clutches of seedy lowlifes Brenda Von Falkenberg, Gott and Himmell, The Fat Man and the dogmatic Chief Inspector Snape, all of whom want to find the swag first.

Film Overview
"Just Ask for Diamond", launched in 1988, is a British funny criminal activity experience movie directed by Stephen Bayly. The movie is based upon Anthony Horowitz's "The Falcon's Malteser", a novel in the Diamond Brothers series. The movie's protagonists are teenager Nick Simple, played by Colin Dale, and his significantly smaller however more intelligent kid brother Herbert Simple, known likewise as Diamond, played by Dursley McLinden.

Plot
The story kicks off with the Diamond bros running a second-rate detective firm. Nick is doing little to promote the business while Herbert, in spite of his age, is noticeably more smart and alert. They encounter Johnny Naples, a dwarf star who delivers a mysterious bundle: a box of maltesers. Naples ends up being the topic of pursuit by worldwide wrongdoers and is soon discovered dead. Inside the box, instead of maltesers, is a valuable gem, which all the crooks are after.

Adventure
The death of Johnny tosses the inexperienced detectives, Nick and Herbert, into a whirlwind experience involving well-known criminals, undercover police officers, and glamorous ladies. The 2 siblings, with the help of an area girl, start solving the mystery of Johnny's death and the interesting precious diamond that everybody seems eager to possess. They courageously battle the sophisticated lawbreakers while profiting from their wit and valiancy.

Investigation and Ending
Tim Diamond's initial skepticism about the task becomes a fervent quest to seek justice for Johnny's death, and at the same time, outsmart the lawbreakers, who at every turn attempt to get their hands on the diamond. As the brothers dig much deeper into the case, they make some hazardous opponents, consisting of the ruthless gangster, Betty Baron, played by Patricia Hodge, and her minion, Carl, played by Roy Kinnear. In spite of the risks hiding around every corner, the brothers handle to crack the case, exposing a worldwide break-in including a smuggling racket.

The climax involves an exhilarating chase where Herbert, using his wit, handles to trap Betty Baron. The well-known criminals are lastly apprehended, and the precious gem is gone back to its rightful owner. The film ends on an uplifting note, highlighting the Diamond brothers' guts and intelligence where they increase above their regular lives to outsmart global criminals, therefore resolving an exceptionally complicated case.

Analysis and Reception
"Just Ask for Diamond" effectively integrates components of drama, crime, adventure, and comedy, targeted mostly at a young audience. It presents an interesting story with lots of twists and turns, using viewers an appealing and light-hearted watch. The film was perceived as a fun and smart criminal offense adventure that kids might delight in.

The film likewise boasts impressive efficiencies from the young actors, especially Dursley McLinden as Herbert, who is particularly engaging with his mix of intelligence, determination, and innocence. The criminal activity aspects are matched with generous comedic scenes, making it an entertaining watch. The movie stopped working in the box workplace however gradually become a cult classic, valued for its unique take on detective funny plots set in London.

Top Cast

  • Colin Dale
    Nick Diamond
  • Dursley McLinden
    Tim Diamond
  • Susannah York (small)
    Susannah York
    Lauren Bacardi
  • Saeed Jaffrey (small)
    Saeed Jaffrey
    Mr. Patel
  • Patricia Hodge (small)
    Patricia Hodge
    Betty Charlady/Brenda von Falkenberg
  • Jimmy Nail (small)
    Jimmy Nail
    Boyle
  • Roy Kinnear (small)
    Roy Kinnear
    Jack Splendide
  • Bill Paterson (small)
    Bill Paterson
    Chief Inspector Snape
  • Nickolas Grace (small)
    Nickolas Grace
    Himmell
  • Robert Bathurst (small)
    Robert Bathurst
    Vicar
  • Geraldine Muir (small)
    Geraldine Muir
    Granddaughter