DOUGLAS SPARKLES IN ASHER'S `DIAMONDS'.

Byline: Valerie Kuklenski Staff Writer

It is fitting that Miramax Films chose a movie set in Reno, Nev., to gamble on Kirk Douglas' return to the screen in a lead role less than four years after he suffered a speech-impairing stroke.

``Diamonds'' pays off on the wager. Douglas, still vigorous at 83, carries the film with one of the best performances of his long career, probably because many of his scenes are straight from the heart.

Douglas plays Harry Agensky, a former prize-winning boxer known as the Polish Prince now dealing with old age, the aftermath of a stroke and the death of his beloved wife. His son Lance (Dan Aykroyd) and grandson Michael (Corbin Allred) arrive at his home in western Canada with intentions of taking the old man to Banff. But Harry brings up his oft-told tale of some diamonds he earned from a Reno crime boss decades ago when he agreed to throw a fight, so Harry, Lance and Michael impulsively head to the gaming mecca in search of the hidden gems.

It's a road trip all right, but not a standard buddy movie because of the emotional baggage all three are dragging along on this vacation. Harry mourns the losses of his wife, youth and health; Lance still struggles with having felt neglected and unloved by his father; and 15-year-old Michael is on the brink of giving up allegiance to his own father in favor of his new stepdad.

The whole father-son dynamic is a key element in ``Diamonds,'' and unfortunately it is the most trite aspect of Allan Aaron Katz's script. The ``why can't you say you love me'' idea has been done before (``East of Eden'' comes to mind), as has the concept of the teen-age son rebelliously pushing his father's buttons.

Harry's old-age issues, so often given to supporting players, are well-developed here, in part because Douglas understands first-hand the depression and frustrations common to stroke sufferers. Harry is still full of bluster and ready go a few rounds with all takers, but can break down and sob over his inadequacies. Douglas also shows a knack for comedy and is not afraid to be the butt of the humor.

Douglas' nicest moments come in a scene with his longtime friend Lauren Bacall, who plays Sin-dee, the senior citizen's answer to the whore with a heart of gold, or, in this case, madam.

Douglas' own stroke gives his performance an added credibility as each word of dialogue is a deliberate effort. (By the way, Douglas' lines are easily understood throughout the film.)

Allred (also seen in ``Anywhere but Here'') is a natural as Michael, fitting well with both Aykroyd and Douglas, even though Aykroyd and Douglas don't always mesh with each other. He has funny moments at Sin-Dee's brothel when he prepares to give up his virginity to a prostitute named Sugar (Jenny McCarthy).

Director John Asher, son of TV director William Asher, does a straightforward job in his third feature. He makes good use of Douglas' old footage from ``Champion,'' incorporating those Republic Pictures boxing scenes into Harry's flashbacks to his glory days.

The facts

The film: ``Diamonds'' (PG-13; sexual content, drug use, language).

The stars: Kirk Douglas, Dan Aykroyd, Corbin Allred, Lauren Bacall, Jenny McCarthy.

Behind the scenes: Directed by John Asher. Screenplay by Allan Aaron Katz.

Running time: 97 minutes.

Playing: AMC Century City for Oscar-qualifying run; opens wide in January.

Our rating: Three stars.

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Photo

Photo: Kirk Douglas, left, stars with Corbin Allred and Dan Aykroyd in ``Diamonds.''