Monday, August 24, 2020

Movie review: Uncut Gems

 

 

With debt collectors closing in New York City jeweler Howard doubles-down on the bet of a lifetime to fix all his problems. But with a serious lack of faith plaguing him, Howard's debt collectors would rather get a piece of a small pie than see him place another bet.

Adam Sandler (Howard), Keith Richards (Phil), Tommy Kominik (Nico), LaKeith Stanfield (Demany), Eric Bogosian (Arno), Judd Hirsch (Gooey), Julia Fox (Julia), Idina Menzel (Dinah).

Uncut Gems shows up like a strange smell in the refrigerator you can't quite identify. The film starts with a bit of backstory before jumping to Howard and his problematic life. Somehow he acquires a potentially valuable stone which he hopes to use to place a once-in-a-lifetime bet that will solve all his problems. Unfortunately his debtors get wind of this and go after Howard in hopes of collecting something from him before it is gambled away. In the meantime, Howard is somehow able to maintain an extravagant lifestyle without breaking a sweat.

Acting was a miss on just about every point. Sandler felt out of place, like he was overacting much of the time, and lacking any kind of sincerity. How he received so many awards and nominations for this one is beyond me. Stanfield was okay in his role, though he felt like a one-trick pony with nothing but an attitude. Bogosian was underused in his role which could have added some depth. Same with Hirsch. Fox had a couple of shining moments, as did Menzel and a few others.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are okay with an almost realistic feel. Action scenes were mild but decent. Dialogue was weak and flat much of the time and paired with horrible accents, difficult to follow at times. Sound and soundtrack were pretty good.

Overall Uncut Gems, like some uncut gems, was not the happy surprise we all had hoped. The film feels unstable from the start and never settles down, nor does the acting. The result is a high energy mess that feels thrown in your face rather than asking for your attention.

With some sexuality, nudity, violence, gore, foul language, drugs and alcohol, adult situations, and adult stupidity, use this to punish older teens and above.

Released: 2019
Reviewed: 8.24.20
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Crime Thriller, Crime Drama, Crime, Thriller, Drama

copyright ©2020 Dave Riedel

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