While the latest film from the Safdies is loud and taxing, Adam Sandler is a wonderful fit.
I often emphasize that characters should only be compelling, rather than be likable. The majority of the characters in the new film Uncut Gems by the Safdie brothers aren’t quite engaging, and you may not like to spend more than 5 minutes with them either. It is a group of bullies or self-destructive, self-indulgent individuals who spend the majority of the film shouting at one another. Yet Adam Sandler, the proud Lord of Angry Shouting, who has shouted at anything, from a crowd to a base bat, thrives in that kind of situation. The movie is a tedious process, but Sandler’s rage and comedic timing are ideal for this story of irate thugs.
Sandler portrays a diamond merchant in New York City named Howard Ratner, who keeps destroying his own life. Despite being heavily in debt to loan sharks, he continues to make significant wagers on sporting events. After acquiring a priceless opal, Howard mistakenly chooses to lend it to NBA star Kevin Garnett (who portrays himself) instead of bringing it to an auction to end all of his difficulties. Howard strives to take back the gem and win big before he completely destroys his whole life, with loan sharks approaching him and his debts keep mounting up.
In the movie, you don’t truly support any particular character. Giving up himself in his betting addiction and having an affair with his gorgeous mistress, Julia Fox’s Julia, rather than his wife (Idina Menzel), is Howard’s best case scenario. In lieu of that, we witness Howard engage in a series of foolish, self-destructive actions before yelling at everybody he encounters. This is what happens throughout the two-hour length of the movie. Although some people may find Howard’s downward spiral fascinating, I found it monotonous and foreseeable. We’ll simply need to await the next awkward encounter since the fact is, regardless of everything, Howard is his own worst foe. Despite lacking the main character’s noble motives, Uncut Gems is comparable to the Safdies’ earlier film, Good Time.
Sandler is the one and only savior. Because he isn’t truly straining himself to portray a person who shouts at everybody, I’m not sure if I actually describe his job as a “remarkable performance,” yet he is still excellent with this part. Although Sandler doesn’t try to win our approval, he has the comic timing to retain our entertainment through Howard’s annoying antics and the stamina to sustain his never-ending fury. Although Howard isn’t particularly complicated or nuanced, Sandler’s passion with the role is evident in the way he manages to keep his character amusing.
Uncut Gems, with its violent photography and score, merely seems like a drain since the guy is a self-destructive black hole, encircled by other self-serving individuals. It’s a really loud movie, not one that’s “wild.” You wouldn’t dispute someone’s dedication if they shouted at you for more than 2 hours, but you may ultimately grow tired of it and feel annoyed. Some people might welcome Howard’s ongoing disintegration, but I found myself eagerly anticipating the fall.
