Adam Sandler has had a whiplash of a year. He delivered his laziest comedy with Netflix’s “Murder Mystery” over the summer of 2019 and returns to the big screen in December with what the fall festivals have hailed one of his best performances ever with “Uncut Gems.”
Sandler is at the center of his new movie, “Uncut Gems.” This movie is the latest crime thriller from indie darlings Josh and Benny Safdie. The directing duo is known for gaining unhinged and gripping performances from their leading actors. It appears Sandler is no different in “Uncut Gems.”
The official plot synopsis for the movie reads: “’Uncut Gems’ is a crime thriller about Howard Ratner, played by Sandler, a charismatic New York City jeweler always on the lookout for the next big score. When he makes a series of high-stakes bets that could lead to the windfall of a lifetime, Howard must perform a precarious high-wire act, balancing business, family, and encroaching adversaries on all sides, in his relentless pursuit of the ultimate win.”
Chief critic for IndieWire, Eric Kohn gave “Uncut Gems” an A review out of the Telluride Film Festival. He called it a “delirious thriller” with a “hypnotic blast” of a performance from Sandler. “If ‘Uncut Gems’ leaves people rattled, disoriented, grasping for clarity in the chaos of one man’s hectic routine, that all speaks to the sheer precision of a visionary achievement in full control.”
The ensemble cast starring opposite Sandler includes Lakeith Stanfield, Idina Menzel, Judd Hirsch, Eric Bogosian, NBA player Kevin Garnett, and musician The Weekend.
“Uncut Gems” finds Sandler back in auteur-collaboration mode after Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Punch-Drunk Love” and Noah Baumbach’s “The Meyerowitz Stories.” These are two performances critics cite as the comedian’s best. Now, “Uncut Gems” joins the official list. The movie is one of A24’s top awards season releases along with “The Lighthouse” and “Waves,” a Telluride favorite.
“Uncut Gems” will be released by A24 on Dec. 13.
By Jeanette Smith
IndieWire: ‘Uncut Gems’ Trailer: The Safdie Brothers Unleash a Powerhouse Adam Sandler
Mediaite: First Trailer for Adam Sandler’s Uncut Gems Drums up Oscar Buzz, Sets Social Media Ablaze
The Film Stage: ‘Uncut Gems’ Trailer: Adam Sandler is on the Run in Safdies’ Diamond District Thriller
Image Courtesy of Juli30’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
