Uncut Gems (2019)
Stars: Adam Sandler, Julia Fox, Idina Menzel
Runtime: 135 minutes
Synopsis: A charismatic New York City jeweler always on the lookout for the next big score makes a series of high-stakes bets that could lead to the windfall of a lifetime. Howard must perform a precarious high-wire act, balancing business, family, and encroaching adversaries on all sides in his relentless pursuit of the ultimate win.
Performances: 9/10
Screenplay: 8/10
Costumes/Makeup: 9/10
Editing: 10/10
Cinematography: 8/10
Score/Soundtrack: 8/10
Verdict: There are only a handful of directors out there whose unique styles define them. You can immediately recognize a Wes Anderson or Quentin Tarantino film for example without even looking up who's behind the camera. It's almost as if they've invented a genre just for them that doesn't really belong in any particular category but the one they created. "Uncut Gems" is definite proof that Josh and Benny Safdie now belong in that small circle of filmmakers.
Close shots, shaky cam, quick cuts and neon lights are all used to create an atmosphere of pure chaos. One that beautifully parallels the personality of the film's main character, portrayed by Robert Pattinson in the brothers' previous project "Good Time" and an unrecognizable Adam Sandler in this one. He plays Howard Ratner, a jeweler consumed by greed and irresponsibility, even in situations that could engender him and the people close to him. His performance was phenomenal, maybe even the best of his entire career because making a character interesting that on paper should come off as despicable is a challenge not a lot of actors can pull off. And yet he beautifully did, with the help of the Safdies' unique visual style, a script that in my opinion was much more layered than the one used in their previous project, and a soundtrack that perfectly blended with the movie's chaotic nature. My only worry was the film's runtime, which clocked in at about 135 minutes. I feared that it would be too much for a narrative that never takes a minute to breathe a little, and I honestly did experience a small feeling of disconnect at the 100-minute mark. But thankfully that was before the insanely tense third act kicked in and completely pulled me right back in.
"Uncut Gems" is now available worldwide on Netflix (except for the US, who I believe can still catch it in theaters), so do yourself a service and check it out ASAP. It's one of the best movies of 2019, and one of the biggest snubs at this year's Academy Awards.
Close shots, shaky cam, quick cuts and neon lights are all used to create an atmosphere of pure chaos. One that beautifully parallels the personality of the film's main character, portrayed by Robert Pattinson in the brothers' previous project "Good Time" and an unrecognizable Adam Sandler in this one. He plays Howard Ratner, a jeweler consumed by greed and irresponsibility, even in situations that could engender him and the people close to him. His performance was phenomenal, maybe even the best of his entire career because making a character interesting that on paper should come off as despicable is a challenge not a lot of actors can pull off. And yet he beautifully did, with the help of the Safdies' unique visual style, a script that in my opinion was much more layered than the one used in their previous project, and a soundtrack that perfectly blended with the movie's chaotic nature. My only worry was the film's runtime, which clocked in at about 135 minutes. I feared that it would be too much for a narrative that never takes a minute to breathe a little, and I honestly did experience a small feeling of disconnect at the 100-minute mark. But thankfully that was before the insanely tense third act kicked in and completely pulled me right back in.
"Uncut Gems" is now available worldwide on Netflix (except for the US, who I believe can still catch it in theaters), so do yourself a service and check it out ASAP. It's one of the best movies of 2019, and one of the biggest snubs at this year's Academy Awards.
FINAL GRADE: 9/10
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