Adam Sandler’s name has been put through the mud in recent years. Then again, a lot of that is self-inflicted with such movies as The Ridiculous 6, Hotel Transylvania 3, and Pixels. But because of these comedic failings, people forgot how good of a dramatic actor he is. Is his next turn in a dramatic movie something that’ll put Adam Sandler’s name is a positive light again?
Adam Sandler not only knocks it out of the park in Uncut Gems but he also gives one of the best performances of his career. It’s so good that Sandler may even get a Best Actor nomination in January.
Uncut Gems follows Howard Ratner, a New York jeweler who makes a series of high-risk, high-reward bets that affect everyone from his family to his enemies.
If you’ve never seen a Safdie brother’s movie as I have then prepare yourselves for a wild ride. Uncut Gems has so many stylistic choices such as rapid cuts, intense close-ups, bright neon colors, and Daniel Lopatin’s synth score which feeds into the film’s fast-paced tone. So be sure to pay attention because things will come at you fast, and if you’re not careful you might miss something important.
So there’s going to be very little moments where you’ll be able to get a breather. Those moments, however, are times where the story takes a detour with subtle implications to the overall storyline.
Adam Sandler has always been known recently for his bad films. But people tend to forget that he’s a fantastic dramatic actor. So when you combine Sandler’s big and loud personality and put it in a dramatic film then you have a match made in heaven. His take on Howard is perfect for the film and perfect for the fast nature of New York’s jewel trading culture.
But Howard isn’t a character that you’ll necessarily like. He’s brash and never seems to make any decisions that’ll redeem him. After a while, you begin to wonder why you root for someone as sleazy and corrupt as him. He rarely gives you a reason to sympathize with him. But he’s just magnetic of a character where you’ll still attach yourself to him regardless of what he does.
Yet the way he tempts fate over and over again, you can’t help but see what’s going to happen to him. Think of it as a car crash on the freeway. You know you shouldn’t but you can’t help but look to see if he’s going to make it out okay.
You can’t say the same thing about the other characters in the film though. These people are not at fault for Howard’s behavior but for some reason, you like them even less than Howard. There’s just a high and mighty aspect to them that will rub you the wrong way.
Like Sandler, the entire cast is seemingly playing themselves in their respective roles. As a result, the film has an authentic gritty New York feel to it. Even though he’s playing himself, future hall of famer Kevin Garnett is still able to deliver his lines without any hint of overacting. It’s something that you’ll rarely find in newbie actors.
Overall, Uncut Gems strangles you and your senses until the credits roll. Adam Sandler gives one of the best performances of the year. It’s also a reminder to people that his career isn’t as washed up as people make it out to be. Sandler can act and may act his way to his first Oscar nomination come January.
Rating: 4/5 atoms
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