New York City is known for many things. Being the “City that Never Sleeps”, home to various cultures and people from around the world. But its hustle and bustle may be its most enduring feature, still known around the world for being the hustling capital where, if you can find success there, you can find it anywhere. But there’s a dark side to traveling the road to riches and diamond rings, and the latest film from the sibling directing team Josh and Benny Safdie explores the perils of always looking for the next big score. Uncut Gems finds Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler), a charismatic jeweler in New York’s diamond district, under immense pressure from his brother-in-law Arno (Eric Bogosian) and his hired muscle to repay a six-figure debt. Howard must pull off a series of deals and schemes in order to raise the money to repay while balancing an impending divorce from his wife Dinah (Idina Menzel), a precarious extramarital affair with his girlfriend Julia (Julia Fox), a shaky business arrangement with a VIP clientele recruiter named Demany (LaKeith Stanfield), and a high priced sale with basketball star Kevin Garnett (played by himself).
From the film’s onset, Uncut Gems makes that point that the world’s pursuit of riches and wealth comes at the cost of human of suffering. The first scene we are treated to finds workers at an Ethiopian gem mine crowded around a man who was injured while attempting to extract the precious black opal that would eventually make its way to Howard. The point made sets the tone for the wild experiences we see Howard embark on during his dealings in the diamond industry filled with debt, broken promises, and risky deals. The pursuit of wealth and the big score puts its pursuers in perilous situations where anything can happen and the risk to themselves is great, often times greater than any potential gain would be. But the siren’s call of greed can be impossible to resist and Howard’s inability to stop when he’s ahead prevents him from ever coming out ahead. Uncut Gems’ depiction of the folly of greed feels apt in a world where the seemingly insatiable hunger for more is making people feel trapped and hopeless. That never-ending sense of dread is what powers this film and is having the biggest effect on viewers, but also compliments what the film is trying to say thematically.
One notable element of Uncut Gems is the Safdie’s employment of non-actors in prominent roles in the film, a move that adds to the authentic feeling of the world they create onscreen. The newcomer most prominent in the film is future NBA hall of famer Kevin Garnett who plays himself. Garnett exudes a natural confidence and aptitude in his role and is completely believable, even if he is playing himself. It may sound ridiculous but plenty of non-actors could appear stiff and sound as if they’re reading from cue cards even if they were playing themselves so Garnett’s performance is notable. Keith Williams Richards also deserves mention for his depiction of the tough guy Phil who is hired by Arno to assist in pressuring Howard for repayment. When I first watched the film, I wasn’t aware that Richards was not a professional actor until I later saw an interview with Sandler where he remarked on the high usage rate of amateurs in the film. Richards’ is also a natural in his role as the enforcer wreaking havoc on Howard, always just around the corner ready to inflict pain. Even celebrity cameos from The Weeknd and Mike Francesa feel natural are well acted by both.
But naturally, the performances most people will walk away from most impressed by are those of the established professionals, with Adam Sandler at the top of the list. You would think by now after the long careers of the late Robin Williams, or Eddie Murphy, or even Sandler’s past work, people would stop being amazed by the skill level exhibited by comedians and comedic actors when they wade into the waters of drama. Sandler’s acting bonafides are on full display here as he appears onscreen throughout the film’s entirety and more than holds up his end of the bargain, completely personifying Howard and his spiral downward. Sandler disappears into the role and the awards recognition he is receiving as a result is well-deserved. His co-star Julia Fox however isn’t receiving as loud of a buzz for her work in the film, but she is impressive nonetheless as his young mistress who unwittingly gets caught in Howard’s web of risk-taking. This is Fox’s first film credit but she holds her own alongside Sandler and makes a big impression herself.
Uncut Gems is another frentic, fast pasted glimpse at the seedy underworld of New York City courtesy of the Safdie brothers. Much like their fantastic 2017 effort Good Time, this film is centered around the magnetic performance of a single actor, in this case Adam Sandler. Sandler is superb in his portrayal of a man who has found himself with his head barely above water and slowly drowning more with every move he makes in an attempt to recover. The way that the Safdie brothers create a constant sense of dread, making the audience feel as if the same walls that are closing in around the characters are also closing in around them makes Uncut Gems a visceral experience and easily what will draw people in the most. Julia Fox submits a breakout performance as well, excelling in her role as Julia. The directors must also be given credit for the performances they are able to draw out of the first time actors in the film, avoiding any of the stilted dialogue you usually expect from novices. Their ability to have the newcomers come off as naturally as possible is largely why the New York City depicted by the Safdies feels so real. Uncut Gems is another quality entry in this sub-genre the brothers have seemingly embarked upon and proof of the unique vision they have to offer cinema.
Image: A24
