Uncut Gems
Directed by: Benny Safdie and Josh Safdie
Runtime: 135 minutes
Uncut Gems follows a New York City jeweller who is hell-bent on finding the next amazing deal and the next high-stakes bet, even if it means his reputation or life. The film starts with an ’80s style visual inside a gem. While not completely clear initially, the significance of the ’80s motif combined with the jewel becomes clear as the plot progresses.
I left this film feeling stressed. With the intense speed of the dialogue and plot momentum, the film felt like absolute chaos throughout until the credits rolled and I remembered to start breathing again. However, what can initially be perceived as chaos on later reflection demonstrates a storytelling intent by the directors as we watch Howard (Sandler) go from one terrible situation to the next.
Adam Sandler’s portrayal of Howard Ratner was exceptional. He was unrecognisable as the Billy Maddison/Happy Gilmour Sandler we have grown to expect, instead morphing entirely into his new character. When people began muttering about an Oscar nomination for Sandler, I audibly laughed. I mean, we know Sandler as this goofball whose productions have gone severely downhill since his ‘prime’ in the ’90s. However, after watching the film and then hearing the announcement that Sandler had been snubbed and not received an Oscar nomination, I was furious at the panel for their short-sightedness and inability to look past Sandler’s previous work. Sandler turns Howard, a pathologically self-destructive narcissist, into a character that we can’t help but emotionally invest ourselves in—to the point that you root for his seemingly impossible success and happiness. Howard makes all the wrong decisions and consistently keeps you on the edge of your seat as his debt increases and the various loan sharks circle.
Kevin Garnett’s performance as himself when he was still a basketballer was solid for a sportsman turned actor, as his character seemed to be the sanest person on screen, carrying a remarkable gravity. With his notoriety as an exceptional player, the Uncut Gems version of himself has this celebrity presence with him, while at the same time carrying this sympathy for Howard and his hectic lifestyle as a gambling addict. His obsession with the gem propels the story forward and links Howard’s high-stakes gambling with a face that is present throughout.
At one point in the film, Howard finds himself in a tense predicament, requiring his expensive gem back after lending it to Garnett in good faith. His security door is failing to open, and Garnett is losing patience for Howard’s fast-talking manipulation. This scene encapsulates Howard’s ability to stand on the edge of a knife as his bets and pawning are slowly beginning to catch up with him and threatening to reveal him for the con-man he is. The dialogue is unbelievably fast-paced, creating a cacophony of sound, leaving you anxious for the outcome of the scene which could end anywhere from a polite conversation to a murder. As the yelling and arguing continue, he is finally able to let them enter which only pushes Howard further into his self-made hole. The scene demonstrates the Safdies’ ability to orchestrate a calculated scene of chaos and sound into a scene that displays Howard’s comfortability in dealing with such a complicated and overwhelming situation.
Uncut Gems won’t be an easy film to re-watch, but the exceptional performances and direction make this a film that will easily stay with you for days later.
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