Uncut Gems provides one of the best performances from Adam Sandler to date, as well as a tension-filled journey that doesn't let up until the film ends.
“A charismatic jeweler (Adam Sandler) makes a high-stakes bet that could lead to the windfall of a lifetime. In a precarious high-re act, he must balance business and family, fending off adversaries on all sides in pursuit of the ultimate win.”
The film opens in a mine in Ethiopia in which workers dig for gems under horrible conditions, ultimately finding a rare black opal, a once in a lifetime find. We’re then introduced to Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler), a jeweler in New York City who is constantly wheeling and dealing to make quick money to use to gamble in hopes to win big. This practice has gotten him into some trouble with Arno (Eric Bogosian) who has sent thugs to hassle Howard until he pays back the $100,000 he owes him. Howard’s elaborate plan involves this opal which he’s finally acquired and plans to auction which he estimates will sell for one million dollars. Things finally seem to be going his way until Kevin Garnett comes into his shop and convinces Howard to let him borrow the opal for one night, giving his championship ring as collateral. When the time comes for Howard to get the opal back, reaching Garnett seems to be impossible, sending Howard spiraling downward as his stress level rises and people he owes money to close in on him, he needs a miracle to get himself out of the mess he’s made.
One of the fascinating things that Uncut Gems is able to do is keep you invested in the character of Howard Ratner, a vulgar, annoying man, in many ways a horrible person. He is looking for his big score, and is willing to cheat and take advantage of other people in the process. Adam Sandler has gone far beyond his normal range of acting, branching out like he has on rare occasions to do a serious and dramatic role that shows just how versatile of an actor he truly is. He totally transforms into Howard Ratner, his mannerisms, accent, all demonstrate how justified the Oscar buzz was around his performance.
I hadn’t heard of the Safdie Brothers until this film, but won’t soon forget the name, as the direction that Benny and Josh Safdie have for this film is remarkable. What’s so interesting about the film is you really don’t get much backstory on any of these characters, you are simply plopped down into this world left to figure out the relationships and dynamics of all the characters. It’s a refreshing change and respectful of the audience to trust them enough to make sense out of the nightmare that unfolds before them, as tensions ramp up and the pressure becomes unbearable. If there is anything that they succeeded most with this film, it’s the escalation of tension throughout the film. There are sequences that I can only describe as an assault on the senses, as you feel claustrophobic, stressed, and can’t handle everything happening around you.
As much as I enjoyed the film, there are certain questions that I kept asking myself throughout the film and well after. This black opal is supposed to fetch one million dollars, so why would Howard ever loan it to Kevin Garnett? He uses it to his advantage in the moment, but seems to have horrible repercussions as he’s now trying to get it back in time for the auction to take place. This somewhat seemed calculated, but there just wasn’t enough to tell me if it was intentional, or just out of love of the man and his basketball team. The anti-hero protagonist isn’t anything new, but they generally have some kind of redeeming quality to them, or go on a journey of change at the end. Uncut Gems had neither of these. Howard Ratner isn’t a likeable character, and although I did want him to find his big win at the end, it was really out of pity and not admiration of the character. He didn’t change at all, and despite the ending, I really didn’t feel I cared about what happened to him.
Uncut Gems is unlike a typical film, following a despicable character you kind of latch on to. Instead of really caring about what happens with the character, you are caught in some kind of morbid curiosity about his fate. Despite this, you can’t help but get pulled into the story with a queasiness in the pit of your stomach thanks to the high-tension scenes that make the film well worth the watch.
Video
Uncut Gems is presented in 1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.39:1. The transfer here looks fantastic, well balanced with no defects noticed. The film has a very unique look to it, gritty and grainy, keeping with the theme of the film, and very dark at times. Several sequences have bluish/green tints, almost mirroring the colors of the opal that everyone becomes so fascinated with.
Audio
The audio is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. The audio track sounds great, well balanced, with the majority of sound coming through the center channel as dialogue. The track really stands out in the film, almost kind of like an 80’s feel at times.
Special Features
There is only one extra on the disc, and although it is a bit longer than most extras these days, I would have still enjoyed a commentary, especially by Adam Sandler.
- Money on the Street: The Making of Uncut Gems
Uncut Gems in my opinion is carried entirely by Adam Sandler’s performance, which is simply phenomenal. I don’t think the film or the character of Howard Ratner would have been the same without his portrayal. Despite his lack of recognition this past year, Sandler has demonstrated he is capable of so much more and I hope he continues this trend of more serious roles. The film itself is a highly intense, stressful journey that’s well worth taking.
