Diamonds to Dust (2014) Poster

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4/10
Exploitation in a good way
BandSAboutMovies9 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Jayne Mansfield possessed an IQ of 163, played violin and piano at a concert level, had a degree in science, spoke 5 languages fluently and yet was known as a dumb blond. Her career was as short as her life was turbulent, with three ex-husbands, five children, addictions to booze and pills, and a car crash in 1967 that ended her life. This film looks at the final years of her career.

Hailey Heisick, who was in Don't Look, plays Jayne. That's a tall order, to be perfectly frank. But this is pretty much the Lifetime version of Jayne's life, minus the Lifetime budget, so it's going to be all sleaze and drama. Which, come to think of it, that's what so much of her life was.

It's sensationalized. It's exploitation. And then again, that's also the type of press that Jayne played with to keep her name in the headlines, even after the roles got smaller.
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1/10
Obviously a joke. A bad student film at best
tbird70909 February 2019
This doesn't deserve a review, it shouldn't even be listed here.

I've seen more interesting "movies" made by junior high kids using a cellphone.

A bunch of people who couldn't break into community theater spewing improvised nonsense peppered with a random old and long debunked box of rumors and myths.

Junk.
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1/10
Untrue facts in a Biography - Simply UNFORGIVABLE
extremecraigfan27 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Nonsense such as this is the reason people run around spewing wrong information on subjects. You can't really blame them when film makers have no shame and a lot of nerve.

Whether it be a biography or a documentary they are both part of history. It does not matter if you are telling a story about Vikings at war, a natural disaster, a religious event or an individual...the FACTS MUST BE TRUE! Obviously there was no research done whatsoever! i.e. at the beginning of the movie the year flashed across the screen...that year Jayne's daughter would have been approximately 2 years old, the girl they had playing the part was about 10. That was the first blaring error and there were many, many more.

I watched about half of this movie and was so angry I shut it down. Yes the acting was bad, the story was disjointed and all over the place, and the actors in no way resembled the people they portrayed.

BOTTOM LINE...If you want to make a fact-based movie...do the research, tell the truth...don't fill people's minds with falsehoods. Unfair and unforgivable.
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1/10
Worst Acting Since The Room
Ditzy-Gypsy16 October 2019
Bios are my favourite movie genre. I'd already seen the movie with Loni and Arnold many years ago, and while it was a bit glib and made-forTV-ish, at least the acting was ok. The acting in this makeshift movie is almost comical. It's so bad. I think the awfully-written dialogue probably doesn't help, either. The argument scene at the coroner's office has got to be the worst scene I've ever seen. I gave this movie a 3. I was being generous. Yikes.
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10/10
diamonds to dust
nariahlovesu22 October 2017
Despite her publicity and popularity, Mansfield had no quality film roles after 1959. She was also unable to fulfill a third of her time contracted to Fox because of her repeated pregnancies. Fox stopped viewing her as major Hollywood star material, and started loaning her out to foreign productions until the end of her contract in 1962. She was first loaned out to English studios and then to Italian studios for a series of low- budget films, many of them obscure and some considered lost. This movie takes you thru all the many obstacles Jayne Mansfield endured
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1/10
Absolutely awful
saucie25 April 2020
I would give zero stars if that had been an option. Poor acting and historical inaccuracies plague this film that looks like it was filmed in someone's garage. Just ugh.
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9/10
The tragic story of Jayne Mansfield's life
rossbrew11 November 2017
This independent low budget film is an interesting and touching tells of Jayne Mansfield's life, the voluptuous bombshell that tragically died too young. It shows the typical cope mechanism of some Hollywood stars of that era; alcoholism, pill taking, drugs and extra-marital affairs to alleviate the pressures of packed work schedule to make a living for the entire family. Very creative and entertaining. I enjoyed it very much.
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1/10
Trailer Trash Productions Presents
toyguy-3151927 August 2021
From the beginning of this celluloid slop you know you're in for a treat (that's if you consider raw sewage a treat). To call it acting is comparing champagne to swill. The sets look as if they were all constructed in the same public restroom. Not one character is able to deliver a believable line, everyone of them is either nervous or jittery and the only sympathetic role is that of the viewer. As for likeness in appearance, the Jayne Mansfield character looks like Jack Klugman in drag and everyone else is there in name only. Pardon me, I forgot the fat women of wrestling reject playing Jayne's mother, what a performance. Why hasn't she been on Jerry Springer? Anyone whose actual name was used in this garbage should take legal action against all responsible for the making and release of "it". If you're fond of bulumia, eat a great big meal and watch this dvd. I was never a Jayne Mansfield fan, have never believed the 163 I. Q. rumor and felt she ruined her own career, however I have nothing but sympathy for her being exploited in this mess of a movie. The car wreck that claimed her life was horrible enough but now her name is involved in this trainwreck. One more thing, Who in the hell is "mickeyhargitayplants" claiming to be a child of Mickey and Jayne?. A 10 out of 10 review ? No offspring of Jayne and Mickey's could have watched this crap much less give it a stellar review. If so, shame on you.
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8/10
Compelling Story
ugoals24 October 2017
This has all of the trappings of a great independent film, a solid Hollywood drama, beautiful actress, and broken family. This isn't a big budget production, but it is a solid story. I learned a lot about Jayne Mansfield's life and where she came from. If you like independent films, then I think you will enjoy this movie.
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Re-thinking Jayne
Phil_Chester25 July 2018
Great period details and sense of place, and the film is so much fun. Jayne Mansfield was probably my least favourite of the "Blonde Bombshells", but this film really brings her alive and made me re-think my opinion of her. Jayne Mansfield fans will definitely enjoy this one.
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2/10
My Jaw Is Still On The Floor
What can I say? The film claims to be about JM's life in the 1960s, but the main photo used in ads is a reenactment of one taken in the 1950s, one which Sophia Loren herself didn't care for. In one scene, if you make it that far, has a John Lennon drawing on the wall which would not be made for 1-2 years after JM died. It really does look, as someone else commented, as if the scenes were shot in the same garage with different curtains etc to make different rooms. There is not one likeable character here, but many people JM ran with in the mid 60s were bad apples anyway. One gets the impression that the "actors" were hired as favors and not because of ability or resemblance, and that the whole thing is an ego project. Watch with friends for a laugh-fest. One star because it's really ghastly, another star because it's perfect for an MST3K style treatment. Kidding aside. We don't think Jayne would care for this parody of her.
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10/10
A Great Film On The Life Of A Much Loved But Flawed Legend!
jeancothern7 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Frank Ferrucio has been a fan of Ms Mansfield for many years and has a vast collection of Mansfield memorabilia. So it did not surprise me that Frank made this film . It was produced on a tight budget, the actors are mostly unknowns, but a lot of Mansfield's movies were indies with unknowns besides herself. The film starts the night of Jayne's fatal car accident, then traces her life from the Rock Hunter play onto her years of decline, B movies, dinner theater, etc. Only 2 of Jayne's 3 marriages are documented here. Her first marriage is only mentioned, the story basically starts with her relationship with Mickey Hargitay. Jayne's indiscretions with other men, her increasing slip into alcoholism, pill taking, flirtations with LSD are all documented. Jayne's craving of the spotlight would lead to her young death in a car accident at the of 34 in 1967. Her death was on a lonely highway, with 3 of her 5 children being spared because they were asleep in the back seat. The film also addresses the myth that Jayne was decapitated, she was scalped, not decapitated. Killed in the accident was Jayne's current boyfriend/manager, lawyer, Samuel Brody and driver Ronnie Harrison. The actors in the film, especially Hailey Heisick as Jayne, Adrian Gorbaliuk as Mickey and Rocco Palmieri as Sam Brody are the key actors and they do a good job in this film. The young actress who portrays Jayne's teen age Jayne Marie Mansfield (Lisa Henricks) is really good as well. I think if you watch with an open mind, you will love this movie
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8/10
Indie film on a tight budget that does a great job with what it has
amazonchick-846346 May 2017
While the film isn't of high production value, you can definitely tell that a lot of effort was made to make use of what was available. This movie definitely has 'cult classic' potential, right up there with John Waters if he were to make a bio. There's quite a bit of bad reviews for this which surprises me- the film may not be perfect, but I would think that anyone interested in Jayne would also be a fan of older movies/biopsy with lower production values/ beginning actors. Definitely a truer look into a stars life than the glossed-over versions that stay away from anything negative. Recommended.
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10/10
It's How it Happened......Painful to Re-Live...But Well Done Frank!
mickeyhargitayplants9 October 2017
This is a story way too close to my heart. I had to see it out of curiosity. There has been a lot of bad things written about this film but it is obviously out of jealousy or to hurt the Writer/Producer Frank Ferruccio. I have known Frank for many years and even though he has done things that i don't agree with he has always had my families best interest at heart. This was a hard movie to make without a big studio to fund it so i must say he did really well. I know all the people personally and he did a really great job casting people who might not seem to be the best Actors but are definitely the most like the person they are cast-ed to play. I must say even though Hailey Heisick is not the spitting image of my late mother she definitely emanates her qualities and mannerisms. Adrian Gorbaliulk is perfect to play a young version of my father. He has his innocence and overall good down to a science as well as his overall physique. I was impressed with Mike Funk as the loud and difficult Matt Cimber a man I never cared much for. The movie dealt with the painful demise and decline of my mothers career which ultimately fueled her addictions difficult but poignant to watch. Hailey really acted it with Poise and Grace and should be proud! I cried at the end she made me care that much.
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9/10
DIAMONDS TO DUST is a stylish and inventive period piece with a lot of heart!
ryanbartongrimley27 November 2017
DIAMONDS TO DUST is exactly what some of the other reviewers on here have pointed out... It's a stylish and inventive period piece with a lot of heart that makes the best of its indie limitations to tell the real story of Jayne Mansfield. Featuring a strong performance as the blonde 50's bombshell by the super talented Hailey Heisick and excellent production design down to the period props, locations, cars and wardrobe, Diamonds to Dust, takes a gritty and hawkish perspective on its subject which I really loved. I've seen enough 50's period pieces that are all cotton candy and diners. This really got under my skin and dug into what the under-belly of that time period really was and who Jayne Mansfield was when the cameras weren't on. Nice work!
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10/10
a rare gem
diamondsdust9 May 2017
Being a Jayne Mansfield fan I was very impressed. I watched it several times. The movie is right to the point and very specific details of Jayne and her life . I also enjoyed​ the book Diamonds to dust Frank if your reading this you are a brilliant man . The way you keep Jaynes memory alive 🌸🌸🌸🌸
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8/10
An intimate look at Jayne Mansfield
cayarga29 September 2017
This is a very observant and honest look at one of Hollywood's biggest bombshells. It is also a very interesting Biopic. One in which you see the parallels with Hollywood's premier bombshell: Marylin Monroe(life spiraling out of controls, the pill popping, a tragic short life, etc...). It was amazing to me how the filmmakers were able to create such a period film with all the props, locations, cars and wardrobe in spite of all the budget limitations and constrains of an indie film. I didn't know how interesting - and sometimes disturbing - Jayne Mansfield's life story was, but now that I've seen this film I can honestly say that her life story was worthy of a Movie. Hailey Heisick as Jayne Mansfield is terrific! Highly recommend this film!
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9/10
Give it a go
artistgp7 May 2016
An interesting tale of what the world expects from its famous figures. It says a lot about our society and the entertainment business in general. A well crafted film that was clearly put together by a team of passionate filmmakers.

The general public will generally never know just how much goes into making even a super short film. Give this independent film a look and see what these guys were able to accomplish with a limited budget. The film makes you take a true look into a life that you might otherwise not have noticed. That alone is a worth while endeavor.

Go indie films! Looking forward to seeing what they make next!
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8/10
If you prefer the real story of a star, faults & all to phony biopics, this is for you
lcvarga30 November 2016
Indie biopic on the life of actress Jayne Mansfield. Mansfield was known more as a sex symbol, but is probably one of the most underrated screen queens of the 50's and 60's.

While I do enjoy the occasional Hollywood biopic, most have taken "creative license". Often chunks of a story are left out (think the "Kid Stays In The Picture" or even worse, false information is added to a person's story.

This is a dark, indie telling. The look of the film has a very art house vibe to it. It tells the story of Jayne Mansfield's life in bits and pieces. Starting with her rise to fame; the movie shows her personal struggles and how they led to her untimely death.

If you're a fan, you will want to see this. If you prefer the gloss and the BS, check out the Loni Anderson TV movie. If you can handle the truth about a person's faults, you should watch this instead.
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10/10
Awesome Cast and Crew!
lizzytish695 December 2016
I think everyone that put this film together did an OUTSTANDING job. For this to be Frank Ferruccio's first film, I think he did an awesome job especially with picking the actors and actresses. I knew very little about Jane and most of what I knew were obviously rumors esp the rumor where she was decapitated. I also didn't know how very loving and caring and a great Mom she was. What a very big loss for not only her family but for us as well. I think Jane would have moved on to bigger and greater things if she did not leave this world so early in life. And Dumb Blonde she def wasn't. Great Movie!! Thank you for making this film and telling the world her true story!! I look forward to many more outstanding films from Frank.
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10/10
Diamonds To Dust Shines!
hilljayne9 September 2014
Warning: Spoilers
With all the negative hype surrounding this independent motion picture (mostly by fans who have learned the joys of Jayne through her daughter Mariska Hargitay)…one would expect a cheap, tawdry exploitive soft core piece of porn. This isn't that. This is a good movie that tells the tale of the 1950s and 1960s blonde bombshell through the eyes of super fan Frank Ferruccio (who wrote and produced the movie). The movie is told from the scene of her death and shows glimpses of Jayne Mansfield's dizzy rise to fame and gaudy fall from grace. It takes a brave person to tell the truth and the true story and it appears to have been done. The movie stars Hailey Heisick as the blonde goddess. Hailey is a virtual revelation as Jayne. What she lacks in facial similarities to Mansfield she more than makes up for with her body and her acting. Bodywise, Hailey is practically a dead ringer for La Mansfield. She also does a splendid job of capturing the voice of Jayne…and something Loni Anderson was not able to do in the 1980 TV movie—she captures the essence. There are moments when Hailey seems to have been possessed by the late Jayne Mansfield…particularly when capturing Jayne's party girl moments. Even when she's 'Bad Jayne' we feel for her…and identify with her. What a gifted actress! Rocco Palmieri shines as, a better looking, Sam Brody. He captures the nasty yet sexy charisma the real Sam Brody possessed and that the real Jayne Mansfield was attracted to. This reviewer can't think of anyone better to portray lover Nelson Sardelli than newcomer Anthony Cancellare. Sexy, charismatic, funny and charming…just like the real Sardelli, Mr. Cancellare lets us know why Mansfield strayed from Mickey Hargitay to the charms of Sardelli. Mr. Ferruccio cast an impressive lookalike as Mickey Hargitay in Ukrainian born actor/model Adrian Gorbaliuk. You can barely tell him apart from the real Hargitay. Mike Funk shines as Matt Cimber. Susan Capicotto, a successful stage actress, rounds out the cast as Mansfield's bff—reporter May Mann. She is a delight. Of course, it's not all glorious in this movie. Miscast as Jayne Mansfield's mother is Patti Ivy. Vera Jeffrey Peers had a certain je ne sais quoi that Patti Ivy does NOT possess. Overweight and looking exhausted with her bleach blonde fried to eternity hair, I never once believed that she was the well to do Vera Jeffrey. All in all I enjoyed the movie. It's good and entertaining with just enough of the camp element to keep us interested. I am proud of Mr. Ferruccio's movie and wish I had been a part of it.
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10/10
One dynamic movie
neilsean30 November 2016
Diamonds to Dust is simply brilliant from start to finish , well produced and above all made with love from the whole team , It will be a cult classic in years to come but don't take my word .. Frank the producer has crafted and created some excellent performances from a stellar cast who really act their parts well , Jayne Mansfield in many ways have being forgotten in terms of the power of Monroe but Rob & Frank have reminded us why she was a vital part of that era and more importantly why she should not be forgotten .. The movie gives an insight into how someone in that period could create a brand and stay in the top 10 of stars .. Its worth watching for that alone and lets not forget if Jayne were alive today I am sure she would have had her own reality show .. From Diamonds to Dust reminds us all that Jayne Mansfield may have led a troubled life in many respects but what a life in so many short years

Its never easy to take on a real life bio but it proves done well it works watch it yourself , I have many times and its wonderful
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10/10
Excellent Detailed Film From Beginning to End
perryvalentino-297377 November 2017
This is an excellent movie about the life and death of actress, Jayne Mansfield. Many details of Jayne's life were never included in the 1980 version. We never saw May Mann, Vera, Matt Cimber, Sam Brody, Gus Stevens and others until this version being portrayed very well, especially Patti Ivy as Jayne's mother. Many of the actors have been in many other productions and becoming familiar faces. Movie clears many myths about Jayne's death. Hailey Heisick does an excellent portrayal of Jayne and the direction and writing of the screen play is much above average. There are some bad reviews but obviously by people of jealousy. All one has to do is watch the movie to see it is one you will want to watch over and over again.
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10/10
This is a really GREAT film! It is sad that people leave bad reviews because of PERSONAL ISSUES.
christophergreco9 June 2017
This is a really great indie film that was made on the life of Jayne Mansfield. It is not a "glory" film about the Glamour of Hollywood and how wonderful it is to be a movie star. This is a story about a REAL woman and how she struggled to have a family and a career. Five Children while balancing three husbands who didn't bring much to the table and trying to support everyone and stay America's # 1 Sex Symbol is a tall order.

This is a moderate budget film but it is well acted and the script is accurate to the story. Frank Ferruccio the Screenwriter is a personal friend of the family and the film is based on his best selling book of the same name. Many of the supporting players are fine New York actors and the film was picked to premiere at the Hoboken International Film Festival.

There are some fans of Miss Mansfield that consistently post negative reviews for this film under different identities which is very unfair and immature. One of those fans from Australia is suppose to be publishing a book about Ms Mansfield and all I have to say is Karma is a bitch and what comes around goes around.
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9/10
Almost Excellence!!!!!Jayne Mansfield's Turbulent Life!
fjstars21 April 2016
Undertaking a production like this without a huge budget was one hell of a risk. In the right ( Or wrong ) hands set design alone could literally eat up the modest budget for a larger production, never mind it's impact on an Indie one. Never the less, director Rob Villano decided to attempt what could have been a hazardous production using writer Frank Ferruccio's book as the base for the screenplay. The results are a mixed bag at times. Diamonds To Dust flirts with greatness at times, slums it... and then rebounds back to the top. In terms of sheer entertainment this turbulent biopic easily holds it's own; but it could have been so much more.

The problems with Diamonds To Dust begin straight after the intro credit roll. In a nutshell? The coloring and filters. I totally understand the impulse to color this film like it was made many, many years ago. A film that takes place in the 1950s and 60s? Sounds like a great idea in theory. Theory doesn't always work in the real world though. The coloring just kept taking me straight out of the film but not as much as the filters and vignettes. At times the mixing of the darker colors and vignettes made it a real pain in the ass to watch and take in the film. Thankfully, the filters ease up as the movie goes on and eventually, your eyes adjust to the poor coloring choices. The other aspect which kept concerning me was the inconsistency of the actors. At times, the acting was brilliant and completely engaging all around the board! Other times it came across as scripted, hollow and without feeling. Sometimes this happened scene to scene! For the most part, Hailey Heisick did a great job in the lead role, allowing you to forget for a time it was an actress you were watching, playing a part. Most of the inconsistent performances came from the supporting parts. Again, no one person really stood out because the acting was so up and down. I have no doubt that the talent was all there, it just felt like it wasn't completely utilized at times. The lack of focus and direction at these points in the film really hurt what was overall a great production.

In the end, we have an above average film that at times showed total signs of greatness. Without the issues I wrote about above this could easily have been one of the few to earn a perfect rating! It's all there! As Diamonds To Dust sits right now, we've got an entertaining piece of Independent art that blew away my expectations and I was glad to have watched. This is a real, not watered down biopic of a strong woman navigating her way through the era of men, booze and movies! Although not as perfect as it could have been, Diamonds To Dust has enough gumption and grit to satisfy history buffs and anyone craving a good story. -MC
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