Before going to see this film, I revisited Josh and Benny Safdie’s previous directorial effort, Good Time, and it reminded me why I was so excited to see Uncut Gems. From that film alone, it’s easy to see all the potential for the Safdie brothers both as writers and directors. Uncut Gems is the embodiment of that potential; they have found a type of narrative that they can tell extraordinarily well and a style that perfectly coincides with that narrative.
Uncut Gems follows Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler), a charismatic jeweler in the Diamond District of Downtown Manhattan. Being in the jewelry business funds his large and lavish lifestyle while also bankrolling his high stakes gambles. He enjoys the adrenaline rush of knowing that if his gambles don’t pay off, he could lose everything. This pattern leads him down a path of high-risk high-reward decisions that spiral out of control; once things get started, it is nearly impossible to stop.
The Safdie brothers have a knack for creating a script that is fast paced, and just when it seems like things might slow down for a second, it ramps back up and keeps things moving forward. They then add in characters who are self-destructive and goal driven to forge an intensity that is hard to find anywhere else. As auteurs, they are able to show their vision for the script they wrote as they bring it to the big screen. They form a claustrophobic and stressful mode which only adds to the rapid pace of the film. When paired with psychedelic colors and electronic music, they form a style that is truly unique and keeps you at the edge of your seat the whole time.
Like their previous film, Good Time, the Safdies have managed to write fleshed out characters who make bad decisions followed by worse decisions, and yet you still find yourself wondering and even hoping that they can make things right. The Safdies came to Adam Sandler specifically for this role and you can tell it was written with Sandler in mind. It is hard to think of anyone else who can make Howard Ratner so sleazy and manipulative while keeping you hoping he can fix himself when you know he won’t. The inklings about an Oscar for his performance in the film are warranted because he is incredible. Every other performance in the film is great as well and complements Sandler’s performance. LaKeith Stanfield’s portrayal of Demany, Ratner’s assistant, in particular, adds to his growing resume of quality performances. Some surprises performance-wise include Kevin Garnett and Julia Fox. Garnett, a former NBA player, does a great job portraying himself, which may not sound impressive, but for a non-actor to have a significant role in a film and not feel out of place, is refreshing. Finally, it is shocking to know that this is Julia Fox’s only film role. With her skill, it won’t be long before she starts to become a household name.
Uncut Gems is a stress-filled thrill ride that doesn’t slow down until the credits start to roll. Watching Uncut Gems has only further convinced us that the Safdie brothers know how to make intense and exciting cinema. While we can enjoy Uncut Gems in the meantime, everyone should be eager to see what the brothers have in store for us in the future.
4.5/5 STARS