Movie Review: ‘Uncut Gems’ Is A Diamond in Adam Sandler’s Collection
By Kevin Conley II – Staff Writer
“Uncut Gems” is a Safdie Brothers crime thriller starring Adam Sandler, Julia Fox, Idina Menzel, Lakeith Stanfield and Kevin Garnett.
Sandler carries the gauntlet as Howard Ratner, a New York City jeweler, who constantly gets in over his head looking for the biggest bets of his lifetime. He thinks he’s struck gold when he comes across a rare stone containing a gem that causes basketball superstar, Kevin Garnett to borrow the stone.
Howard then goes through trials and tribulations to re-obtain the stone, while also having to deal with his brother-in-law, Arno. Discouraged by the fact that Howard is using his money to place bets, Arno hires a group of loan sharks to take care of Howard and obtain the money.
The Safdie Brothers are best known for their successful A24 crime thriller film “Good Time” with Robert Pattinson, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Josh Safdie. This film proved that the Safdie Brothers can direct realistic and anxiety-fueled thriller movies that never give audiences and critics time to relax.
“Uncut Gems” is even more anxiety-fueled, more uncomfortable and constantly entertaining to watch.
Sandler is in his prime, portraying the role of Howard in this movie. Sandler is well known for starring in under-appreciated comedy films, but his talent shines in serious movies such as “Punch-Drunk Love,” “Spanglish,” “Reign Over Me,” and “Funny People.” So far, this is Sandler’s best work.
This was also Fox’s first film and she was excellent, along with Garnett, Menzel and Stanfield. The film is also aided by an excellent original score, with an improvised screenplay, and brilliant direction by both Benny and Josh Safdie who made the film slightly better than “Good Time.”
“Uncut Gems” is a film that constantly attempts to unnerve audiences with every risk and decision Howard makes into winning bets to better his life. Howard is a character that audiences can care about and watch him succeed, but he’s also a character who loses everything and tries to figure out how to get himself out of his conflicts.
Unlike the Safdie Brothers’ last film “Good Time,” this film sometimes attempts a more comedic tone for a crime thriller. This is mainly because Sandler can bring in entertaining moments in the film.
The anxiety-driven moments fueled by Howard’s actions leave audiences engaged and on the edge of their seat. This is a brutal film with amazing performances by the cast, brilliant direction and a clever improvised script.
It is one of the best, most overlooked films of 2019.
9/10.