A jeweller with a gambling addiction and debts owed to some scary people tries to make a big score with an imported black opal, whilst also trying to choose between his dissatisfied wife and Julia, his young mistress.
Uncut Gems had quite a lot of awards buzz a couple of months ago, but has ended up getting very little recognition. The most attention had been on Adam Sandler’s barnstorming central performance as Howard Ratner. There seems to be a lot of surprise about how good he is outside of a comedic role, thus showing how the excellent Meyerowitz Stories, for which I gave him the best actor award in my end of year round up in 2018, has been forgotten already.
Here he solidifies and even enhances his standing as he rips through this movie with such an intense ferocity. Just as much credit needs to go to the directors Benny and Josh Safdie who bring a mad energy to the proceedings as Howard’s life spirals out of control. It feels almost like it is almost impossible to breathe as things get more and more tense as the film approaches its climax.
There is also some inspired casting in the supporting and smaller roles, with newcomer Julia Fox as Julia and old hands Eric Bergosian, Judd Hirsch catching the eye. There is additionally a funny and creepy turn from Wayne Diamond as a gambler with a crush on Julia.
Certainly not a relaxing watch, but a very rewarding one, Uncut Gems can still be found at some cinemas as well as on Netflix.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10