Review: Uncut Gems (2019)

TIFF: Uncut Gems (2019)

Okay, so apologies for the lack of reviews coming out lately. I've been a bit busy running around to TIFF films this past week but I finally now have some time to sit down for a bit and begin writing about these awesome and exciting films I've seen at the festival. First up is Uncut Gems - who's ready for more Safdie Brothers praise from mikegoestomovies?? 

The Brothers Safdie - Josh and Benny's - newest thriller stars Adam Sandler as Howard Ratner, a jewelry store owner / dealer who can't help but inject himself into shady deal after deal in order to chase the biggest score possible while simultaneously pulling everyone in his life into his dangerous and chaotic lifestyle.

Uncut Gems bears many similarities to the brothers' previous outings. It has a quasi-documentary feel featuring floating cameras and lots of improvisational dialogue. Like Good Time, the plot is like a rolling snowball where the inciting event at the film's beginning quickly leads to a cause-and-effect series of events - each one more frantic, dangerous and loosely-played than the last. Along for the ride are LaKeith Stanfield as a quasi-employee of Harolds, Idina Menzel and Julia Fox as Harold's wife and girlfriend respectively, and Eric Bogosian and Keith Williams Richards as two of the 'goons' Harold gets in trouble with. In a unique move, the film also incorporates some real life events and real personalities who play themselves, however, I think it's more fun to keep their identities as a surprise for the film.

Much of the film's hype has been about Sandler's performance and, in that, all reports have been accurate. Sandler is revelatory here (as he has been with most of his other dramatic turns), portraying a highly despicable but also entertaining individual as only the Safdie's know how to create. It doesn't hurt that there is an inherent level of comedy to Howard's abysmal griminess that Sandler perfectly taps into. The rest of the cast of characters, all of whom orbit around Howard's planetary ego, are equally engrossing and the cast all do a terrific job. As with other TIFF events, it is always awesome to see the cast and crew in-person during these viewings and getting an in-depth Q&A with everyone afterwards. Being able to see the Safdies, Sandler (on his birthday no-less!) and Stanfield in person are definite highlights for this year for me (cool also spotting Timothee Chalamet in the audience).

Overall, Uncut Gems is definitely one to catch. Its frenetic energy is hard not to get sucked into and tension only builds upon itself from the get-go. This might actually be a deterrent to some who enjoy their films a little tighter and more coherent, however, the Safdies know what they're doing and they have perfected this style of theirs over the past decade. Add Sandler and a great supporting cast into the mix and you have easily one of the year's best and most unique thrillers.