by Jack Miller ‘21

Prolific actor and comedian Adam Sandler takes a break from the typical slapstick schlock he’s become known for in recent years to deliver a sledgehammer performance in “Uncut Gems,” the electrifying new crime thriller by Josh and Benny Safdie. He plays Howie Ratner, a sleazy diamond district jeweler that makes a series of high-stakes bets in hopes to score big. In doing so, Ratner sets off a long string of hazardous pitfalls that threaten his money, his family, and his life.

“Uncut Gems” is akin to the anxious acid-trip that is “Good Time,” the Safdies’ previous film, in the sense that both are nerve-racking, claustrophobic, and disorienting experiences, shot with gritty realism and imbued with an aching sense of melancholy.
However, “Gems” is far more grand in scope, making for an even more riveting experience. This film is two hours and fifteen minutes of pure, unadulterated stress, and I mean that in the best way possible. It’s dizzying, restless, and remarkably tense, and that’s all thanks to the impeccable craft of the two sibling auteurs.

The Safdie brothers flawlessly capture the chaos of Ratner’s routine with their dazzlingly loud direction. They shoot the endangered protagonist’s high-wire act of endless lies, transactions and adversaries with a hypnotic, fast-paced energy that is simply irresistible. Their street-realistic style lets Howie rummage through a world made up of sudden pans, aggressive tracking shots, confined sets, and harsh lighting, with each amping the film’s suspense up to another level. Darius Khondji’s grimy neon cinematography effortlessly captures the seedy side of New York City while Daniel Lopatin/Oneohtrix Point Never’s cosmic synth score glides through the air, juxtaposing the hectic action taking place on screen.

The script of the film is nearly as brilliant as its direction. Howie Ratner is a slimy, self-absorbed, moronic character. He loud-mouths his way through most of the film, spewing vulgarities and false promises like a fountain, and he always seems to make the wrong decision. Despite this, the massive stakes make it hard not to root for him. He is a very specific type of person, a combustible character that can’t help but get in his own way and can’t stop digging his hole even deeper. The film dissects his lifestyle in a way that is not just exciting, but also quite sad––the Safdies depict his life as fruitless and his struggles as unending, forming a portrait of an exasperated man in deep pain. Sandler masterfully conveys the mania and sorrow brewing inside the self-destructive jeweler in what is likely to be a career-defining performance.

“Uncut Gems” is a trainwreck that you can’t look away from. It’s woozy, hectic, and even nauseating at points, but beautiful nonetheless. Don’t miss it.