Panic-Inducing Crime Thriller On Max Shows Billion-Dollar Star In His Greatest Role
At this point, just about everyone is aware of the fact that Adam Sandler can pull off an incredible dramatic performance when he wants to, despite generally appearing in silly over-the-top family comedies. While Sandler has a solid handful of spectacular performances to choose from, his best movie by a country mile is 2019’s Uncut Gems, which is currently streaming on Max. Uncut Gems is a fast-paced thrill-ride with a ton of suspense, aided by its anxiety-inducing camera work and naturalistic dialogue, making it an excellent watch for people who don’t want to breathe for a solid 2 hours and 15 minutes.
A Brilliant Safdie Brothers Production
Uncut Gems comes from the brilliant filmmaking minds of Josh and Benny Safdie, who wrote and directed the film as a duo. The film is a major passion project for the Safdie brothers, who envisioned the lead role for Adam Sandler on a whim when they first drafted the screenplay years before the movie would ultimately be produced. After several years of trying and failing to get Sandler involved, the brothers largely considered Uncut Gems dead on arrival, and moved on to other films such as 2017’s Good Time.
A Fully Realized Vision That Includes Adam Sandler
Luckily for the filmmaking duo, Good Time turned out to be a major hit, inspiring numerous offers from big studios and A-list actors. As a last-ditch effort, the Safdies once again extended an invitation for Adam Sandler to star in Uncut Gems, which he ultimately accepted. Once they had the Hollywood icon attached, the brothers blew off offers to helm a big budget superhero film, and even took a pay cut to ensure that they could maintain creative control over the final cut of Uncut Gems, and shoot in 35 millimeter film.
Almost Too Much Talent To Handle
Sandler is joined in the Uncut Gems cast by a number of top-tier performers, including Julia Fox, Idina Menzel, Keith William Richards, LaKeith Stanfield, and Guardians of the Galaxy‘s Pom Klementieff. Tilda Swinton and musician The Weeknd also appear in cameo roles, while former Boston Celtics player Kevin Garnett portrays a fictionalized version of himself, with a shocking talent for screen acting.
Howard Ratner Is A Slave To His Many Impulses
The narrative of Uncut Gems centers on a jewelry store owner named Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler) who struggles with a serious gambling addiction. Throughout the first act of the film, we learn that he is juggling debts to different nefarious figures while offering luxury diamond pieces to a clientele of high-profile figures including professional NBA players. Gambling is not the only addiction Howard has either, as his extramarital trysts reveal that he has a penchant for chasing thrills in all corners of his life, no matter the cost.
Anxiety-Inducing, But Totally Worth It
GFR SCORE
Needless to say, Howard’s lifestyle begins to catch up with him in numerous ways as the plot of Uncut Gems unfolds, leading him through a high-wire act of anxiety inducing situations. The film offers some of the finest craftsmanship of any movie in the last decade, and provides a fast-paced plot that will leave you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire runtime. Today, Uncut Gems touts a nearly-perfect Rotten Tomatoes critic score of 91 percent, exemplifying the film’s massive acclaim.
If you’re interested in checking out Uncut Gems today, be sure to open a few windows and light a pleasant scented candle before streaming the film on Max. You’ll need all the help you can get winding down after watching the house of cards that is Howard Ratner’s life come toppling to the ground.
