Uncut Gems

An uncompromising, frenetically edited dialogue cannonade, focusing on a narrow time span in the main character's life. Similar in concept and similarly frantic and unhinged as Joel Schumacher's Phone Booth. The essential difference is that while Phone Booth switches to a "meaningful" conclusion at the end and touches on the emotional arc of realizing life's mistakes and wrong actions, the protagonist in Uncut Gems has nothing of the sort, so we need to look at other parameters. For example, the haunting soundtrack, Sandler in a very atypical role for him as a Jewish merchant, Julia Fox (hopefully she'll get more roles), and the convoluted, volatile but well thought out story. A small, controversial film for connoisseurs who appreciate a filmmaker’s unconventional approach. (03/14/2020)

The best directorial feat by the Safdie brothers and the best serious role by Adam Sandler, who fits the part like a glove. It's a very whiny film without any positive characters. Sandler owed perhaps everything he looked at and I thoroughly enjoyed his crazy gamble. Julia Fox was also great to watch, she is an unknown actress to me, but I was wiping saliva off the table during the garter scene. The finale is intense and unexpected. I enjoyed it. PS: the scene with The Weeknd was fun.8/10. (01/21/2020)

Adam Sandler in a serious role? Let’s see this! Uncut Gems is the next film from his Netflix series, the first with a non-comedy theme. However, his character here is unpleasant and noisy, just like the film itself. Moreover, it contains an unusual soundtrack, which is also not exactly melodious, adding to the overall gloominess of the film. The first hour, I didn’t really know what to think, but the tension was so high I thought I was going to explode like a pressure pot. Although I didn’t like Sandler’s character, I have to respect his performance. It was an acting feast, albeit one with a psychedelic musical background. (02/05/2020)

Uncut Gems is almost unpleasant to watch. A spiral of self-destruction (with the very best intentions, of course) with the excellent Sandler in the lead role. The incredible pressure of an evil and raucous world conveyed through the “hero" to the viewer with unbelievable intensity. Lies, crooked deals, basketball, gambling, infidelity and contempt and the entire world plotting against one person who deserves it like no other (but you’ll still be keeping your fingers crossed for him at the end). A morality tale about gambling and something extra, and a reflection of modern times. (02/04/2020)

Uncut Gems is a high-octane, energetic film about the pursuit of money, also with the aim of getting out of a bad situation (debt). It is original primarily thanks to its electronic soundtrack, which sounds like something by Vangelis on ecstasy trying to imitate Atticus Ross. In the longer opening scene, where the music is just as loud as the dialogue, it is literally distracting. It comes across as a flawed soundtrack, to the point that you have the compulsion to grab the remote control and adjust something. It's an unusual way to dynamically engage and draw the viewer in. Used more sensitively later in the film, the soundtrack becomes a significant element of this distinctive cinematic experience. And the same can be said of the setting and characters. The directing duo’s protagonists are no angels and they all have character flaws (cheating on their wives and defrauding their business partners, ruthless greed). Despite that, we keep our fingers crossed for this one, because in the world of loan-sharking and black marketeering in which he operates, it couldn’t be any other way. The unfiltered depiction of this world, and in the Jewish community at that, makes this film unique and its makers courageous. (02/02/2020)