Directors: Benny Safdie and Josh Safdie
Genre(s): Crime, Drama, Thriller
Runtime: 135 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
In 2019, Adam Sandler generated a lot of Oscar buzz for himself for his performance in the drama-thriller Uncut Gems. It’s a bit different from the typical Sandler role, and, although he wasn’t nominated for an Academy Award, he still made quite an impression. In this crime film, New York City jeweler Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler) desperately finds himself trying to pay off his gambling debts in order to stay afloat.
Uncut Gems is famous for its reputation of being an assaultive panic attack in cinematic form. The movie’s style is relentlessly suspenseful, constantly having its main character being in some sort of trouble, as he moves from one bad decision to the next. Personally, I didn’t find it as anxiety-inducing as many have suggested, but that didn’t stop me from being entertained from beginning to end.
For a picture about people incessantly screaming, swearing, and talking at the same time, this is a surprisingly easy feature to follow. In terms of comprehending what was going on onscreen, I felt like I was treading water the same way that Sandler’s character was with his financial dealings. Speaking of Sandler, his performance here is rightfully celebrated. He simply disappears into the role of a fast-talking bullshitter who’s in over his head with no one to blame but himself.
For some viewers, Uncut Gems is a bit too much. Yes, it relies heavily on uncomfortable and nervous-energy-provoking scenes and there are no likable characters, but there’s never a dull moment and the comedy that is in it is effective. I especially liked the way it built up to its climax. If you know that you’re in for a film that’s not entertaining in the conventional sense of the term, you might walk away smiling.
My rating is 7 outta 10.
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