Film Review: "Uncut Gems" (2019).

From the directors of Good Time and executive producer Martin Scorsese comes Uncut Gems. This crime thriller film directed by the Safdie Brothers, and co-wrote with Ronald Bronstein. The film centres on a charismatic jeweller makes a high-stakes bet that could lead to the windfall of a lifetime. In a precarious high-wire act, he must balance business, family and adversaries on all sides in pursuit of the ultimate win.

In 2009, after the release of Daddy Longlegs, the Safdies conceived the idea and wrote the first draft with Ronald Bronstein. The film was inspired by their father's time working as a salesman/runner for a man also named Howard in the Manhattan Diamond District. The Safdie Brothers and their father are also Jewish and avid basketball fans. Adam Sandler was the Safdies' first choice to play the lead role. However, surprisingly, Sandler turned down the role. The Safdies couldn't get the project off the ground due to lack of financing. During that waiting period Robert Pattinson contacted the brothers via e-mail and said he was interested to work with them after he randomly discovered the poster of actress Arielle Holmes covered in pink neon light from their previous film Heaven Knows What (2014) on the internet. After they met with Pattinson, liking him and being inspired by his energy, the Safdies spontaneously started to write Good Time (2017) with him in mind. After the film's premiere in Cannes and the following critical success, the brothers found themselves getting calls from Hollywood executives with offers including a big-budget superhero movie, which they declined and instead secured financing for the film. In May 2016, it was announced that the Safdies would direct the film. Harvey Keitel and Sacha Baron Cohen were considered before Jonah Hill was cast. However Hill dropped out. In April 2018, Sandler ultimately replaced Hill. By late September,  Idina Menzel, Lakeith Stanfield, Judd Hirsch, Pom Klementieff, Kevin Garnett, Julia Fox, and Eric Bogosian rounded out the film's cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced, and wrapped in mid November. Filming took place in New York City and was shot on 35mm film.

The film stars Sandler, Menzel, Stanfield, Hirsch, Klementieff, Garnett, Fox, and Bogosian. Strong performances were given by the cast, especially that of Sandler, who gave his best and most commanding performance to date, since Punch Drunk Love (2002), as the desperate yet charismatic jeweller. It is a shame that Sandler doesn't give this kind of performance, instead he chooses to give performances that are the epitome of mediocrity. Because it is a performance like this that establishes him as a capable character actor.

A visual treat filled out by consistently stellar work from Sandler, Uncut Gems is a singularly distinctive crime drama offering far more than the usual genre thrills. The film is an instant crime classic in the age of Trump. Sandler hits a career high in the Safdies' nervy, vivid crime thriller, which merges messy humanity with tight genre mechanics.

Simon says Uncut Gems receives: