Uncut Gems gave me such feeling of euphoria that I want to find my nearest bookie and put all my money on a 6 way parlay. From the moment the final credits rolled, I haven’t been able to get this film out of my mind.
The hype around the Safdie Brothers is real, and with Gems, they have a plot that is perfectly tailored to their kinetic strengths. The Safdie’s trademark handheld camera follows Howard Ratner (played masterfully by Adam Sandler), a New York City Diamond District jeweler and gambling addict, as his life unravels over the course of a few days. This film, like Howard himself, never stops moving, chaotically jumping to each new scene and inevitable problem.
Sandler’s famous yelling and larger-than-life persona is perfect for the character of Howard: someone whose actions we can’t condone, but we can’t look away regardless. He accomplishes the impossible task of not only matching the plot’s manic pace, but also making Howard a likable (no, lovable) character. Like the Safdie’s previous protagonist, Connie Nikas in Good Time, Howard doesn’t fit Hollywood’s standard archetype of a hero. Or have a recognizable character arc, for that matter.
While some may see this as a shortcoming of the directing duo’s work, I would argue it is one of their greatest strengths. Uncut Gems is not constrained to your expectations or preconceived notions of how a film should look, feel, or end. You’ll never know what’s coming next, and therefore you are caught in this infuriating, exciting adventure alongside Howard.
A large part of this unpredictability is owed to the Safdie brothers’ casting as well. Kevin Garnett (playing himself), The Weeknd (playing himself), and Julia Fox (playing a version of herself) are all first-time actors and add a meta layer of realism to the story that further sends the viewer’s head for a spin. All three are fantastic, but Garnett is especially a standout, lending his trademark intensity to the silver screen. As a massive basketball fan, I’m naturally a little biased to Gems‘ inside jokes, but anyone can appreciate the authentic devotion to real-life celebs and NBA playoff history.
This may not be the case for every viewer, but I also found Gems to be hilarious (I’ll forever remember Howard’s New York accent screaming “KG!” at the towering NBA player). Sandler’s dedication to playing this absurd character so straight-faced brings laughs and grimaces in equal measure.
The direction, casting, and Sandler’s magnetic performance mix together to make an intense, hilarious, and addicting watching experience. Just like Garnett’s obsession with the titular gem, and Howard’s undying need to find the next big score, Uncut Gems has nestled its way deep into my brain like an itch I have to scratch. Start the Best Actor Oscar campaign for Sandler immediately (I’m serious).
I could keep writing and talking about this film for hours on end, but I’ll spare you from more reading because by now, you probably have guessed my score. Uncut Gems is a perfect example of why I love movies.
The Cast: Adam Sandler, Idina Menzel, Lakeith Stanfield, Kevin Garnett, Julia Fox, The Weeknd
The Elevator Pitch: “This is me. This is how I win” – Adam Sandler at the 2020 Oscars.
The Score: 10/10
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