Uncut Gems
Adam Sandler and the Safdie brothers deliver the anxiety attack of a journey that exposes the demons that come with living life on the edge.
Adam Sandler introduces his shmuck like character, Howard Ratner, showing us how to bet big and lose it all at the same time.
Normally, a Compulsive Gamblers collateral is their money. But when you meet Howard Ratner, your business, your family, your mistress, your dignity, and your life is your collateral. Here with Uncut Gems, we take a very fast paced walk through the diamond district in Manhattan where we enter the world of Howard Ratner, which is filled with anxiety, broken promises, a one of a kind smile, and the selfish fueled debts to repay.
“Don’t lean on the glass KG”
Director Josh and Benny Safdie tackle the lifestyle of the diamond district while giving us a gripping timeline of Howard’s life as it plays out for an extended amount of time. The camera is constantly moving and never stops here in this film, which gives us the intense feeling of anxiety as we watch Howard make countless bets with other people’s collateral to score the big win in the end. Howard’s goal is simple, he bought an uncut Opal rock and wants to double his profit. With his connections, he gets Kevin Garnett into his store where they make a dangerous trade which leads to this gripping story.
This A24 film is induced with an atmospheric experience as they display very pleasing visuals full of vibrant colors and spaced out sounds (followed up by some of hip hops hits this decade) to keep you hooked into the life of the schmuck-like Howard Ratner. And much praise has to be given to Adam Sandler for stepping out his comedic comfort to deliver the Slick talking Jew that’s always looking for large fast cash. Adam lost about 80% of himself in his normal movies to this role where he displayed the charismatic comedy we know and love sparingly. This new Adam Sandler we experienced will only open new doors and possibilities to what he is capable of and can do next. Uncut Gems scores an 8.5/10, an enjoyable thriller with our problems galore gambler, Howard Ratner.
Here’s some other fun facts for Uncut Gems that’ll keep you loving this gamble of a movie:
Most of the outfits worn by the dealers in Manhattan are actually everyday fits for real life dealers, go walk through the Diamond District and see if I’m lying.
The second pick to play the downward spiraling, Howard Ratner, was Jonah hill.
Joel Embiid and Amar’e Stoudemire was considered for Kevin Garnett’s role.
