Adam Sandler was born to play this role. After a career of loud low-brow comedies that need the viewers’ physical and mental control to be diminished to appear funny, the American comedian, former Saturday Night Live cast member, and star of films such as Happy Gilmore (1996), The Wedding Singer (1998) and The Longest Yard (2005) has developed a brand that turns many viewers off. This is despite films such as Punch-Drunk Love (2002), where he showed signs of some acting talent.

With Uncut Gems, Adam Sandler proves that, in the right role, he can be outstanding; words I never thought I’d be writing after watching him scream at me from across the screen throughout the ’90s in hopes of tickling the audience’s funny bone.

However, even when I’ve loathed an Adam Sandler film, admittedly, I found him a touch endearing. It was like watching a stupid puppy. Irritating, yes, but still a puppy. The other thing I noticed about the actor was that he’s always appeared somewhat neurotic. I remember often leaving the cinema with my friends after an Adam Sandler film genuinely concerned for his mental health.

Josh and Benny Safdie’s Uncut Gems taps into these two qualities. In this crime thriller, in a script they co-wrote with Ronald Bronstein, lead character Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler) is an absolute low life. He is a Diamond District jeweller addicted to gambling, who makes a series of bad decisions and is in trouble with loan sharks. Yet he is somehow likeable because he’s played by a man with an unexplainable charm such as Adam Sandler.

With Uncut Gems, Adam Sandler proves that, in the right role, he can be far more than just a stupid puppy

Here, his character runs a jewellery store called KMH in New York, that may have been doing better had it not been for his limitations. Howard owes a lot of people, including his soon to be ex-wife’s brother. When NBA superstar Kevin Garnett shows up at KMH, Howard shows off a rare black Ethiopian opal. Kevin Garnett wants to temporarily take the precious item and gives the jeweller his NBA championship ring in exchange as collateral. Howard agrees, even though the opal has been appraised for around a million dollars.

Unfortunately, Howard can’t control his instincts and places a bet on the game with the ring. While Howard wins, his creditors catch up to him, landing him in trouble. Soon, Howard finds himself in more high-stakes situations where he can’t help but choose riskier options.

The intense nature of Uncut Gems is in part due to the excellent score by Daniel Lopatin, that increases our anxiety levels. Likewise, the film is superbly shot, edited and directed, and leaves you on the edge of your seats.

Howard can’t control his instincts and places a bet on the game with the ring. While Howard wins, his creditors catch up to him, landing him in trouble. Soon, Howard finds himself in more high-stakes situations where he can’t help but choose riskier options.

The performances are excellent. As I said, Howard’s character seems tailor-made for Adam Sandler. When the Safdie brothers were marketing the script in 2009, they targeted Adam Sandler for the lead role. Aside from him, the other actors are also compelling, including the celebrities in smaller roles.

Despite being one of the best films of 2019, it’s a pity that Uncut Gems was ignored during the awards season. At the very least, Adam Sandler should have been nominated for an Academy Award. Earlier, the actor had threatened to return to his trashy comedies if the Academy ignored him. Now, that’s a punishment that none of us deserve.

Rated R for pervasive strong language, violence, some sexual content and brief drug use

Published in Dawn, ICON, April 26th, 2020