Adam Sandler, no matter what you know him from, is known for his comedies. He was a cast member of Saturday Night Live; starred in many beloved comedies made by his production company, Happy Madison Productions; and has recently been very busy with Netflix Originals like Murder Mystery. A24 is an indie production company that was established in 2012 and has been cranking out hits to critical acclaim and box office success. You might not immediately recognize their name, but you’ll know what they’ve made. They have a wide variety of films produced under their helm such as Ex Machina, Swiss Army Man (included because it’s a personal favorite), Moonlight, Lady Bird, Eighth Grade (Bo Burnham’s directorial debut), and recently The Farewell. They’ve also delved into television with Euphoria and John Mulaney’s Netflix special, John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch. However, you might know them best for their horror films, including: The Witch, Hereditary, Midsommar, and the upcoming Saint Maud. A24’s extensive and eclectic library means you really don’t know what to expect going into one of their films, and apparently even bringing in Adam Sandler doesn’t guarantee anything because Uncut Gems is not a comedy. That’s a good thing.
Uncut Gems follows the fast-moving life of Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler), a New York jeweler with a gambling addiction. The film follows the roller coaster of highs and lows experienced in gambling through narrative, pacing, and mood, all the while being highlighted by a perfectly fitting score. Howard is always looking for the next big move, the next big bet. As a jeweler, he has access to resources that he often pawns in order to bet money he doesn’t have. After finding a rare black opal, he thinks he’s going to make it big with the ultimate payday. Through his broker, Demany (played by LaKeith Stanfield), Howard meets Kevin Garnett (played by himself). Howard convinces him that the opal is going to be the key to Kevin helping the Boston Celtics win their series. Howard does this in an effort to drive up the price at auction. Through shady deals like this, we see the toll taken on Howard’s relationship with his wife (the amazing Idina Menzel) and their children. These deals also lead to problems in his relationship with his mistress, Julia (Julia Fox), who he finds in a bathroom with the famous rapper, The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye). She seems to usually enjoy the antics, though. Deals go well and deals fall through due to the constantly moving parts of Howard’s life, which doesn’t bode well for his relationship the debt collectors that are always watching.
The Color. It’s now 2020, and while the Uncut Gems did premier at the very end of 2019, it is a period piece, taking place in 2010. While there is definitely luxury in Howard’s world, there are still signs of how different things were just ten years ago, from fashion to phones and TVs to safety features in cars. The film meets an aesthetic with a world dressed to be convincing that we are in this, surprisingly, noticeably different time. The lighting is consistently able to help establish the mood, whether we are at a high while elbow deep in fish or at a low in a club during a busy night in the city. I want to emphasize again, the underlying score, composed by Daniel Lopatin, helps bring us into the fast-moving world of Howard by providing the soundtrack to his volatile moods. To ensure we feel in step with him, the camera is handheld for almost the entire film, walking with him and everyone coming in and out of his life, making sure we are invested in every action taken.
The Cut. These shots walking and pacing along with Howard are, well, cut together in a way that can either build intensity or slow the world down. The editing consistently keeps us on the edge of our seats, as we are a part of everything happening. We pace back and forth with an anxious Howard in his shop, and stalk from the watchful eyes of the debt collectors on his tail. We follow Howard’s very upset mistress down the street after the events with The Weeknd, where one very long shot really makes us feel for her and question just how sincere their relationship might be.
The Clarity. Uncut Gems introduces many characters and often moves very quickly, but it’s very succinct and coherent when it is establishing the major players and events. Scenes are usually easy to follow, which is important because it allows us to know, and enjoy the mischievousness, when Howard is lying to try to put together another harebrained scheme. It offers both insight and foresight. With the exception of Julia’s wildly different looks making it hard to recognize her the first few introductions, this film makes sense of everything happening.
The Carat. The weight of Uncut Gems is impressive. It offers a look into the very volatile (read: accurate) life of a gambling addict and all of the goods and the bads that come with it. It raises questions on family, such as how to handle hard conversations with children and how we treat our relationship with family during times of hardship. It also has weight for Adam Sandler. I truly believe that if he hadn’t had the goofy, comedy career he has so well cemented into history, he would be heavily considered for actor of the year awards. He even had an “Oscar winning moment,” although it might have been hindered a bit by one too many people in the room crying.
Uncut Gems is an incredible film that takes the audience along for a wild ride alongside one of Adam Sandler’s best performances, through a world that moves fast and doesn’t have any sympathy for those that get caught up in it.