The Gem May Be Uncut, But It Shines Nonetheless

A New York jeweller, Howard Ratner, played by Adam Sandler, juggles working in the Diamond District business of bustling Manhattan, intercepted by his crumbling family life, an affair with his own employee, dollar bills constantly slipping out of reach as he's being chased by vindictive, murderous mafia-gamblers, whose leader happens to be Ratner's brother-in-law, all while adhering to classic Jewish values.

Uncut Gems, film festival favourites, the Safdie brothers' most recent crime-thriller infused with extracts of dark-comedy, hit theatres in December of last year. Featuring prominent Hollywood names like Adam Sandler, Idina Menzel and even The Weeknd, who plays himself, Uncut Gems sends you spinning through the many pitfalls and fool's paradise a Jewish, New York City jeweller & gambling addict could encounter. Besides Sandler's usual tactic of glueing your eyes to his character, Julia Fox's debut performance as Ratner's mistress, Julia De Fiore, brings forth a sense of familiarity with the actress, her devotion to the character completely erasing any doubt in her lack of acting experience the audience could have. Her perfectly articulated feistiness and commitment in regards to the malicious relationship with her boss stands illuminated by the new-found spotlight of the Hollywood industry. That spotlight shone even brighter when Fox gained a nomination for Breakthrough Actor at the 2019 Gotham Independent Film Awards for her role in the film.

Another unexpected feature is Kevin Garnett's role as Kevin Garnett. Garnett, a former professional basketball player who played for 21 seasons in the NBA, is recognised for his defensive ability as one of the greatest power forwards of all time and his versatility, which is highlighted in his outstanding performance as, well, himself.

As for the film's protagonist, Adam Sandler shines when he steps away from the crude humour people are used to. As Howard Ratner, Sandler slips into the mask of a wandering, insecure and overly-enthusiastic individual, creating an impression that he, in every aspect of his life, is misplaced.

Speaking of misplaced, let's talk about the ending. I was forced onto a rollercoaster of emotions where I struggled to distinguish the loops and dives; what was frustration and what was confusion. That was until I deciphered the Safdie brothers' intent: placing you in Howard Ratner's shoes. I'm sitting there, slipping off the edge of my seat, tasting blood as my teeth graze at my fingertips. I felt so invested in what seemed to be the light at the end of the tunnel for Ratner, pleading with the movie Gods to finally give him a break. You're rooting for a person who would be considered a villain by most, wishing for the gaping cavity where morals should lay to fill with success and prosperity, but then, you'll have to watch the movie to find out for yourself.