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Uncut Gems (2019)


Directed by Josh & Benny Safdie
Starring: Adam Sandler, Julia Fox, Lakeith Stanfield, Idina Menzel & Kevin Garnett


 Adam.. Adam.. Adam. As a long-time fan of the Sandman, I eagerly waited this film and his Oscar nomination all of last year. But of course, there was no Australian theatrical release date and no Sandler nomination leading me to have to wait for Netflix. The wait is finally over and in all honesty, Uncut Gems does not disappoint.
Following their indie underdog of a film Good Time, the Safdie Brothers bring their unique style to New York’s Diamond District. Uncut Gems follows Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler), a sleazy jewellery store owner, who constantly makes bad bets and gets himself further into debt as he attempts to strike big. Howard’s schemes involve everything from diamonds to basketball games and become more elaborate as the film goes on.
It has been said many times that Adam Sandler is a great actor when in the hands of a competent filmmaker. Uncut Gems proves this theory as Howard is Sandler’s best role to date; topping even Punch-Drunk Love. He is unrecognisable as the iced-up, slimy dealer and brings more energy to the character than anything in decades. Howard is so meticulously crafted that the film had me rooting for an awful person every step of the way. Lakeith Stanfield continues to be as great a supporting actor as he always is. Julia Fox and Idina Menzel play good romantic foil to Howard and are actually believable in the role unlike most female leads in Sandler flicks. The celebrity cameos are well used and despite extended screen time, especially from Kevin Garnett as himself, don’t feel forced.
The screenplay is easily the strongest of the year as the Safdie Brothers and co-writer Ronald Bronstein expertly weave Howard’s mistakes into a larger look at the Diamond Industry and themes of wealth and greed. The script could have easily been a dime-o-dozen crime thriller but with an ingenious character like Howard at the helm, the writers provide a story where every little detail matters and is in service of an arc that leaves both a satisfying and shocking conclusion. The inclusion of multiple plotlines involving 2012 era celebrities pays off well and adds further conflict to Howard’s poor decision making. The only issue is the first scene of the film, unrelated to New York, which feels like unnecessary background information in what is an otherwise perfect screenplay.
Much like Howard, the Safdie Brothers go for a slimy approach and extend upon their style from Good Time in a more appropriate subject matter. The cinematography feels gross and muted and has an uneasy effect on the viewer. The majority of shots are close ups on character’s faces which, despite this being my main complaint in Good Time, heightens the relentless intensity from beginning to end. It is this intensity, alongside Howard’s decision making, that will be too much for some viewers as it leaves a pit in your stomach on multiple occasions. The score consists of mostly abrasive synth pieces as well as a few R&B and hip-hop tracks which help in establishing the time period.
Uncut Gems boasts both the strongest screenplay and lead character of any film in 2019. The Safdie brothers continue their unique blend of crime thrillers with sympathetic awful people that you can’t help rooting for. Adam Sandler’s performance is one of the best of the year and easily a career standout. Despite his comments that he’d make the worst film of his career if he didn’t win an Oscar, this is the lane that Sandler should choose to continue in from here on out.
9/10

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