Uncut Gems (2019)

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Howard Ratner	Adam Sandler
Julia	Julia Fox	½
Dinah Ratner	Idina Menzel
Demany	Lakeith Stanfield
Himself	Kevin Garnett	½
Arno	Eric Bogosian
Phil	Keith Williams Richard	½
Gooey	Judd Hirsch	½

Review

With this relentless crime drama, the Safdie brothers (Good Time) demonstrate yet again their command over the medium, but Uncut Gems is such a draining, pessimistic picture that you basically have to be masochistic in order to enjoy it. Adam Sandler is well cast as the industrious jewelry store owner and gambling addict who's always one step behind on everything. Needless to say, the web of loan sharks, bookies, sales agents, unhappy clients, wives and girlfriends begins to tighten around him. An exhilarating synthy musical score by Daniel Lopatin (aka Oneohtrix Point Never) and a constantly moving narrative suck you into the bleakness. Watching Uncut Gems is like being stuck in one of those nightmares that starts over and over again instead of waking you up. There are some solid performances in here, including from former basketball pro Kevin Garnett in his debut. But none of the characters are likeable, and so you end up rooting for the money – just like Howard Ratner does.