Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler) is a semi-successful jeweler in New York City. Uncut Gems finds him in a predicament where his debt is rising and his life is, more than ever before, on the line. Howard, given his current situation, and his profession, attempts to get his life back on track. As he does everything he can to set things straight, things go awry and he feels more expendable than ever.
Sandler has made a successful career as a perpetual funny man in films like Happy Gilmore, The Longest Yard, 50 First Dates, etc.). His role in Hollywood has become clear, and fans of his (along with those who do not enjoy him) understand what is expected of him. Sandler, whether people want to believe it or not, is a talented actor that is capable of breaking down barriers and delivering on a number of levels. Uncut Gems showcases his abilities and his raw talent as he steps out of his comfort zone and into the role of a high-rolling gambler in the jewelry market. Sandler it able to, despite his character’s ability to fuck things up, charm the audience and rope them into the story of Howard. I found his performance, from beginning to end, to be energetic, real and appealing. There are moments, however, that scream Adam Sander of the old, and bring fans back to the days when all Sandler knew was comedy. He occasionally gets that high-pitched raspy tone in his voice when he gets emotional. That tone is often associated with his silliest characters (i.e. Bobby Boucher), and audiences are transported back to the Sandler’s younger days. What is so beautiful about his high-pitched, raspy voice is the fact that it provides a bit of nostalgia for the audience without making the audience think too much about the past.
Writers and directors Benny Safdie and Josh Safdie (with the help of writer Ronald Bronstein) create a film that envelops audiences and creates both a sense of appreciation and misunderstanding (in a way). The misunderstanding, however, is not with the story, but with the idea that Uncut Gems may actually be a true story. The Safdies blur the lines between fiction and reality, making audiences question what is real and what is not. They create a sense of false hope that The Franchise (Kevin Garnett) somehow played a role like he does in the film, in real life. His role is twisted and demented, but it creates a sort of drama that the world is able to fall in love with. Very little about Uncut Gems is reality, but the Safdies incorporating a big name such as Garnett into their story creates a sense of appreciation among audiences and helps to develop the film in ways that would be impossible without a legitimate public figure. Their combination of fiction and reality brings the story to life and allows audiences to feel a legitimate connection to what is taking place.
Along with Sandler, there are a number of talented actors who help make this movie possible. There are so many wonderful things I could say about the actors who take part in Uncut Gems, but I’ll do my best to keep it short. Lakieth Stanfield (Demany) is a damn chameleon; he has the ability to transform from a swift, talent detective (in Knives Out), to a thuggish, insensitive prick in films like Uncut Gems. Idina Menzel (Dinah Ratner), in my opinion, is overrated, but perfectly fits the role of Dinah and executes her lines with great precision. Finally, Kevin Garnett, known for his talent on the basketball court, is quite talented and does a wonderful job of not only portraying himself, but effectively supports Sandler throughout the film.
Uncut Gems is made out to be a one of a kind thriller that takes audiences by storm. While I can’t say that it lives up to that hype, the story--brought to life by the acting--is phenomenal. Sandler shines brighter than ever before and his acting ability is made very clear for maybe the first time in his career. I am truly sorry that it took so long for me to watch Uncut Gems, but the anticipation of the film, while not fully met, led to a sincere appreciation of what the Safdie’s are able to accomplish. The film, as a whole, is beautifully done, and the Safdie’s help to perfectly showcase a number of different talents in the process.
Comments