The Last Diamond

A well-oiled, highly watchable heist drama with a twist, filmmaker Eric Barbier's The Last Diamond is a suspense film with a lot of moving parts, but one that also features a wonderfully appealing pair of characters whose relationship anchors everything. Simon (Yvan Attal) is an ex-con and master thief enlisted in a complicated Mission: Impossible-like conspiracy to steal a valuable diamond on the eve of its auction. A fairly large gang is organized in order to pull off an elaborate con with Simon, but central to the effort is Simon's success at convincing Julia (Bérénice Bejo), daughter of the gem's late owner, that he was her mother's secret security arm. After gaining Julia's trust, Simon proceeds with the plan—but his feelings for her add an untimely wrinkle. And Simon is in league with some very bad people; although just how bad isn't apparent until late in the game, when loyalties suddenly and necessarily shift. Highly recommended. (T. Keogh)