Uncut gems is a Safdie brothers (Josh and Benny) film, about an enigmatic jeweller (Howard Ratner – Adam Sandler) that is always on the look-out for his next big score, whether that is chasing a seven-figure win and feeding his gambling addiction, or importing stolen uncut opals from Ethiopia, whilst attempting to balance his business, family, mistress and selection of enemies.
With Martin Scorsese as Executive Producer, it is great to see Adam Sandler in a much more serious role than we are used to seeing him in (crass comedies). I like him, but my partner doesn’t, so I watched it on my own. She’s missed out on his career-best performance (maybe 2nd to Happy Gilmore…).
It is an unusual opening, where you see the commotion at the Ethiopian mine that created the opportunity to steal the uncut opal, before it zooms in on the gem, revealing the universe within it, before transitioning into Ratner’s colonoscopy. It is a potentially uncomfortable start to the film for many, and a fairly twisted metaphor, if intended as such.
His jewellery shop, is ultimately a heavily fortified sh!t-hole with a somewhat faulty door, to which his loyal-ish accomplice Demany (Lakeith Stanfield) brings high net worth individuals, and is rewarded with fake Rolexes. 15-time NBA All Star Kevin Garnett is introduced to Ratner, and is immediately drawn to the uncut gem. He wants to buy it immediately but the rock is already booked in for an auction the following week. Garnett says he has to have it, and borrows it for the night (leaving his 2008 NBA Championship ring and earrings as collateral), before going on to have one of the games of his life, in the 2012 playoffs. The way in which the NBA coverage and post-match interviews are incorporated makes you feel as if it is a true story. Kevin Garnett, admittedly playing himself, actually seems to be a very good actor.
Ratner continues taking from Peter to pay Paul in what seems to be a pyramid scheme against himself. He pawns Garnett’s NBA ring and uses the money to place a 6 selection parlay (same game multiple bet) on the Celtics and Garnett. As we already know Garnett has a great game and with all six selections winning, Ratner thinks he’s won $1m. However, he later finds out that someone he already owed money to has cancelled his bet before the game had began. After being abducted, they took his expensive watch, all his clothes and left him in the boot of a car. Ratner all the while remains unflustered, like these sorts of things happen all the time – they probably do.
Ratner is semi-separated from his wife Dina (Idina Menzel), whilst his mistress Julia (Artist and Actress, Julia Fox) remains at his bachelor pad. I’m not sure how they came up with the character names… Ratner has an untrustworthy grin, you know not to believe anything he says, you urge him to not do a number of things he decides to do, but you end up rooting for him, and for Julia regardless.
You wonder how it could possibly have a happy ending – he’s Del Boy in a rush, with a gambling problem. Will he sell the gem, win a million dollar bet and live happily ever after with Dina and/or Julia? The film is exciting, non-stop and nerve-wracking. If you like sports, betting, sports betting or crime thrillers, you will enjoy this film. I would love to have a Bandersnatch-style go at navigating my way through the series of decisions that Ratner has to make, but he leaves you with the impression he would just do his own thing anyway. As my mum always says, “Do what you want, you usually do!” That’s Ratner all over.
The film has gone straight to Netflix in the UK, so you can watch this for ‘free’ straight away.
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