Uncut Gems: It Shines Bright Like a Diamond

It's a new year, which means new movies! Well, in this case, a movie that came out on Christmas. I really didn't have any intention of seeing this film until a friend asked me if I wanted to. As you can tell from the very bad joke in the title, I made a pretty good choice. Let's dive into the review!

Uncut Gems is directed by Benny and Josh Safdie. It stars Adam Sandler, Julia Fox, Idina Menzel, Lakeith Stanfield, and Kevin Garnett. Howard Ratner (Sandler) is a New York City jewler and is always on the lookout for his next big win. When he makes many high-stake bets, he must balance his business, family, and new enemies. With all of that out of the way, let's dive into the review.

I've always heard that Adam Sandler is a great dramatic actor, but I never watched any of those movies. I usually watch his less well-received work like Grown Ups, Hotel Transylvania, and the Waterboy. I don't have a problem with these films, but I see why one wouldn't like them too much. After seeing Uncut Gems, I now know why he gets such critical acclaim. He's fantastic in this film. I completely forgot I was watching Adam Sandler. Howard is a guy that just can't catch a break and Sandler does a magnificent job of showing this. There's one scene where he breaks down that's magnificent to watch. If he's not nominated for an Oscar then the Academy are even bigger fools than I thought. It's a powerhouse performance. Sandler isn't the only one that brings it. Julia Fox plays Howard's mistress, Julia. I think this is the first major film she's been in. If that's the case then she will have a really good career ahead of her. She does a great job too. Everyone does, including Kevin Garnett. I'm not sure if he's actually like this in person or if he's just playing a parody of himself. Either way, he does a great job. I've never been more anxious watching a movie than I was with Uncut Gems. I mean that in the best way possible. The way the Safdie brothers crank the tension up is incredible. Even little things, like watching a basketball game, had my anxiety going up. This continues over the duration of the film. It's just a barrage of things happening and then, wham, the ending happens. I felt like I was holding my breath the entire time. I was tensed up and I heard another audience member say the same thing. The film is also a marvel technically. The score is done by Daniel Lopatin and is brilliant. It's both very tense and soothing at the same time. It feels like it's embedded in the movie, moving when it moves. I loved it. The cinematography by Darius Khondji is very well-done. It's very up close and personal, much like the film. There are certain scenes, specifically involving a gem, that are just gorgeous.

While I really loved this movie, there were a few little issues I had with it. The pacing in the beginning was a little slow, but it never took away from the film at all. There were also some relationships that I wish were fleshed out a little bit more, particularly with Howard's wife, Dinah (Menzel). Like everyone, Menzel gives a really good performance and you could tell this woman is trying her best to hold herself together. I just wanted to see a little more back-and-forth between her and Howard. There was also a character that really didn't add much to the film. Howard sells him something and he wants his money back. I think his purpose is to just add more chaos to Howard's life, but I think the movie was doing a good job showing enough of that already.

Overall, I really loved Uncut Gems. Sandler gives a phenomenal performance, along with the rest of the cast, the movie is anxiety-filled mainly because of the Safdie brothers' direction, it's shot beautifully, and the score is very well done. There are a few things holding it back. I wanted more of the relationship between Howard and his wife, the movie starts a little slow, and there was a character that didn't add much to the film, but these are very minor issues. If I were to rate it, I'd give Uncut Gems a 9/10. 2020 is off to a pretty good start!