Josh and Benny Safdie excel in unflinching filmmaking, providing an exhilarating viewing experience. Before seeing their latest, Uncut Gems, take some time to watch Good Time starring Robert Pattinson. You will see precisely what I’m talking about when it comes to the Safdie brothers’ non-stop, wildish ways. And there’s no toning it down in this searing crime thriller about risking it all, while handing Adam Sandler one of his greatest film roles. He takes a gutsy gamble and it pays off handsomely.
Howard Ratner (Sandler) is a charismatic New York City jeweler who has never seen a bet he didn’t like. He pushes his luck with every gamble made, and when they don’t go his way – he only goes bigger as his debts get deeper. You’re practically begging at the screen for him to stop. However, for Ratner, there is no such thing. Gambling gives him a rush like no other drug can. It’s in his fucking DNA.
Our degenerate gambler thinks he’s a high roller wherever he goes. But Ratner’s cockiness and cheap talk keeps him knee-deep in trouble. That’s how his precious gem ends up in the hands of Boston Celtics’ Kevin Garnett to be his lucky charm. And while his sparkly stone is being borrowed, Ratner has Garnett’s NBA Championship ring for collateral. No one should trust him with that. Ratner has to chase down his “buisness partner” Demany (LaKeith Stanfield) to get it back so he can auction it off for a million bucks. With that kind of cash, Ratner can pay off his brother-in-law (Eric Bogosian), a sleazebag who doesn’t give a shit about family fealty.
At home, Ratner’s soon to be ex-wife (Idina Menzel) can’t stand to look at him and he might as well be non-existenet to his kids. His crackpot lifestyle has shoved them all to the side. His girlfriend/employee Julia (a sensational Julia Fox) brings out the jealous side of him. It’s so bad that he’s willing to duke it out with The Weekend. Though, when it comes to genuinely caring for Ratner – she’s all he’s got.
As much as you want to root for Ratner – deep down you know he can’t be trusted. The lies are swarming all around him as he persistently pursues that one win that’ll put him back on top. It’s no surprise all signs point to Ratner being a pretty lousy guy. The Safdie bros really pile it on him; yet, Sandler’s phenomenal portrayal makes us see Ratner in a different light. We damn well know even if he hits the jackpot, he will forever gamble with his life. Still, we want the hand he’s chosen to play with to be a winning one. That’s the power of Sandler when he’s firing on all cylinders.
Uncut Gems is an anxiety-inducing, palm-sweating marathon and the finish line is a crapshoot. Ratner, by any means necessary, must outrun a lifetime of bad decisions as the chase is constant by him and the enemies he’s made along the way. Of course, it all comes down to a bet on a basketball game. Win or lose, he’s going to do it the only way he knows how. The Safdies and Sandler know how to serve a unique taste of unequaled energy that leaves us bruised and breathless.
Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
Check out the SoBros Shop. Become a Patron. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Watch on YouTube.
