Uncut Gems

— Adam Sandler deserves the rave reviews he’s been getting for this film but, after watching it, I was exhausted and felt like I needed a shower. It’s a throwback to 1970’s filmmaking, with that gritty New York edge where everyone’s moving quickly, shouting, and cursing. Sandler’s character is a brash, Jewish, jewelry store owner who is always just seconds away from being discovered for juggling too many promises with too little to back them up. His gambling habit and poor luck leave him constantly trying to keep a step ahead and not always succeeding. It’s a film with flawed and not very likable people living in a world you remember in black and white even if it’s a color film. It’s harsh and chaotic with lots of quick cuts, close-ups, and multiple conversations on vying for your attention, spiraling toward a conclusion that only seems expected after the fact. The film depends on Sandler, but the Safdie brothers make sure everything else fits too. I wouldn’t say I “liked” the film, but I admired it. It’s worth mentioning that Martin Scorsese is an executive producer.

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[2019. 135 min. Directed by Benny Safdie and Josh Safdie. Starring Adam Sandler, Julia Fox, and Kevin Garnett.]
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/uncut-gems-movie-review-2019