Uncut Gems
Starring: Adam Sandler, LaKeith Stanfield, Idina Menzel, Julia Fox, Kevin Garnett, Eric Bogosian
Director: Josh & Benny Safdie
NYC jeweler/hustler Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler) is between a rock and a hard place, with his marriage to Dinah (Idina Menzel) on the rocks thanks to his affair with Julia (Julia Fox) as well as a crippling amount of debt with people you don't want to owe money to. Things are looking up though, since he procured the ultimate prize, an uncut gem that he plans to put up for auction and land a lot of money for to pay back his debts. When Demany (LaKeith Stanfield) brings Celtics superstar Kevin Garnett (Himself) into the store, Kevin feels a spiritual connection to the gem and takes it as a totem to help him in the NBA playoff game that night, vowing to bring it back the next day. After Garnett has an amazing game, he doesn't bring it back, sending Howard wheeling and dealing all over NYC to get it back and salvage what he can of his fast crumbling life.
This is an exhausting and stressful movie, thanks to its claustrophobic atmosphere and relentless pace that never lets up from the intriguing opening scene, set in an Ethiopian mine. Always a good sign, I have not stopped thinking about this visually arresting masterpiece since watching it.
My cinematic introduction to the Safdie Bros came in 2014 with Heaven Knows What, which I found to be a very off-putting cinematic experience, with a repulsive story and very in your face film making. They returned to cinemas in 2017 with Good Time, which was an exhilarating film led by an engaging Robert Pattinson. That film was very underrated, despite scoring very positively with critics, and good preparation for this, which is their most accessible and best film. It's filled with numerous surprises and I was floored by and very invested in the plot. I caught myself with my hand over my mouth for the majority of the film.
Uncut Gems is led by a jaw dropping performance by Adam Sandler as the self destructive Howard. Sandler has played scumbags before but not like this, with this compulsive gambler and all around unlikable character being his best role to date. Howard makes every bad decision imaginable and while you aren't necessarily rooting for him to come out on top, you will find yourself more invested in how he is going to get himself out of all the messes he has created for himself. Sandler is perfect for a role like this and it's a shame he is more than likely going to miss out on a nomination. This film works as well as it does thanks to him. All of the other actors are top notch, with Idina Menzel making a rare non-animated appearance and Kevin Garnett being a surprisingly talented actor.
I know I had said the The Lighthouse was one of my favorite cinematic experiences recently, but this may have surpassed it. The cinematography, editing, sound design, and score are all top notch and really enhanced my experience. Seriously, this movie is relentless and should be seen in a theater.
After Knives Out, this was one of my most anticipated of the year and it delivered. The acting is fantastic and the tension is off the charts. While I admit this isn't for everyone, I hope this finds its audience and gets some awards love.
A