Screenwriters and novelists have always had a love affair with diamonds. What is it about diamonds that appeal to us writers? A list of great features about diamonds might include these five qualities:
- Diamonds are literally billions of years old.
- Diamonds are linked with romance and love.
- Popular conceptions that diamonds are indestructible.
- Diamonds are beautiful to look at because of their reflecting facets.
- Diamonds always seem to motivate people to do outrageous things.
Indeed, diamonds serve as great motivation when writing a story. You could even say that diamonds can serve as a catalyst in a piece of fiction—that is an element that initiates or accelerates a reaction without itself being affected. This is apparent in many great movies and novels that have featured inanimate diamonds as one of the major “characters” in the plot. Consider just a few of these films and how a diamond (or bunch of diamonds) played a primary role in the storyline.
1. Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
James Bond is a highly motivated character and traditionally stands for flawed humanity conquering unquestionable evil. Therefore, the villain of any James Bond flick must be equally as motivated as Bond himself. What better way to infuse energetic and believable motivation into a character than to make him a diamond-obsessed bad guy? In Diamonds Are Forever, Bond discovers that a large amount of diamonds have been stolen from South African mines and two assassins are intent on killing everyone in the smuggling ring. Not only does the film use the diamonds as a catalyst, but this catalyst also has a great effect on the principal character: it changes his identity, causing Bond to go undercover as diamond smuggler Peter Franks.
2. A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
In this comedy masterpiece, every character is affected by the diamonds (allegedly over $20 million dollars worth) and goes to absurd lengths to get away with the loot. They rob banks, double cross each other, seduce one another and lie their pants off. (Quite literally, in one scene) The audience follows the crime drama parody as Wanda (played by Jamie Lee Curtis) first conspires with her boyfriend George, then her secret lover Otto, followed by animal lover Ken and finally bumbling attorney Archie Leach. The diamonds change locations a few times as the result of one character’s swift thinking, but it’s mainly the zany cast that reacts, overreacts and undergoes drastic character changes as the direct result of their diamond lust. A “Fish Called Wanda” accurately refers to a literal fish with a secret as well as clever euphemism for the diamond-crazy lead villainess.
3. The Pink Panther (1964)
In The Pink Panther we see one large diamond called “The Pink Panther” serve as the catalyst, though it’s arguable as to whether this stone is truly objectified. In fact, the stone appears to come to life in a very unusual way, hypnotizing everyone who looks into it by showing a unique “flaw” of a leaping panther. This diamond eventually sets a complex (if rather silly) plot into motion: Princess Dala encounters Sir Charles (played by David Niven) who is actually the notorious jewel thief known as The Phantom. Eventually Inspector Clouseau (played by Peter Sellers) establishes himself as the clumsy hero, even if he is eventually framed for the theft of the jewel. Everyone gets jerked around in The Pink Panther even while this partly living stone remains physically unaffected.
4. Titanic
Titanic is known for many things including its epic scenery of destruction simulating the real sinking of the Titanic, as well as the gorgeous scenery of an undressed Kate Winslet in the film’s most memorable romantic scene. However, a jewel lover’s eyes may have fixed on that gorgeous blue diamond called “The Heart of the Ocean”, which travels from the hands of the villainous purchaser Cal (Billy Zane), the sensual hands of Rose (Kate Winslet) and the adventurous hands of Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio). In this film the blue diamond (loosely based on the real life Hope Diamond) changes location and changes ownership frequently but never changes in composition despite “aging” quite a bit. Meanwhile Cal loses his love and shows his wickedness, Jack is framed for the theft of the diamond and eventually dies, while Rose switches lovers and eventually throws the diamond into the ocean. In this film the catalyst diamond serves as a symbol of love, provoking something more than just typical greed.
In closing, it’s easy to see why movies and books have such a great love affair with diamonds: because these little objects, stunning though they are, always represent something deeper than just physical beauty. Usually, a diamond serves as a fitting metaphor for the character who seeks it, or at least reflects back something profound about the heroes and villains who dare to hold it.