I respect what Uncut Gems is doing, but it's also a cacophonous, relentless movie where people talk all over each other, and that works at such a frenetic pace, I couldn't believe there was an hour left when I started losing patience with it. Comparatively speaking, sure, Adam Sandler does a good job of portraying a gambling addict, but the Safdie Bros. are essentially playing to his strengths as a performer; he's still doing the tantrums and the shouting and all of that. Because the character can't get off the roller coaster, he's not allowed much depth. The most valuable scene for me was the climactic basketball game, which is a crisp microcosm of what the entire film is doing. The gambling addict forgives the bad breaks, and uses the lucky ones to justify his superstitious faith, and we really feel the rush with him. After the movie was over, some of my friends wondered if the black opal MacGuffin really did have magical "luck" properties and we could track Sandler's ups and downs based on whether he had it in his possession. I find it very interesting that the movie makes you wonder about that. It means you fall into the same trap the characters do. In reality, we make our own luck, and Sandler has many ups and well as downs, regardless of where the stone is. Kind of opposite to the basketball game, we tend to think his lucky breaks are anomalous, and that his descent into "bad luck" is dictated by the Movie Gods, but it's all down to decisions. His bad decisions void his good luck, and make his bad luck worse, but he's the one doing it. Not one I'd gladly watch again - it's noisy, Sandler's performance is fine but overrated, I can't get into the weird airy score, and I really don't like the ending - but I do respect what the Safdies were going for.
Adam Sandler is Amazing in this film. Really showing he not only can act but can put on an award winning performance. Wow. This movie is intense, stressful, and an emotional rollercoaster. Fantastic!
I am a big fan of how the Safdies do not need to use excessive weaponry or violence in their films. Three times a small handgun is used, two are deadly, one quickly raises the stakes. The lack of excessive violence makes their films better for me.
The "This is how I win" speech by Howie is a wonderful and neutral ode to capitalism.
Haven't felt this much anxiety from watching a movie since I saw Enter the Void. For those who feel movies should provide a pleasant viewing experience, skip this one. The characters are obnoxious and the situations unsettling.
Kevin Garnett did a decent job playing himself but his acting reel won't benefit from it.
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Comments 1 - 15 of 27
Siskoid
I respect what Uncut Gems is doing, but it's also a cacophonous, relentless movie where people talk all over each other, and that works at such a frenetic pace, I couldn't believe there was an hour left when I started losing patience with it. Comparatively speaking, sure, Adam Sandler does a good job of portraying a gambling addict, but the Safdie Bros. are essentially playing to his strengths as a performer; he's still doing the tantrums and the shouting and all of that. Because the character can't get off the roller coaster, he's not allowed much depth. The most valuable scene for me was the climactic basketball game, which is a crisp microcosm of what the entire film is doing. The gambling addict forgives the bad breaks, and uses the lucky ones to justify his superstitious faith, and we really feel the rush with him. After the movie was over, some of my friends wondered if the black opal MacGuffin really did have magical "luck" properties and we could track Sandler's ups and downs based on whether he had it in his possession. I find it very interesting that the movie makes you wonder about that. It means you fall into the same trap the characters do. In reality, we make our own luck, and Sandler has many ups and well as downs, regardless of where the stone is. Kind of opposite to the basketball game, we tend to think his lucky breaks are anomalous, and that his descent into "bad luck" is dictated by the Movie Gods, but it's all down to decisions. His bad decisions void his good luck, and make his bad luck worse, but he's the one doing it. Not one I'd gladly watch again - it's noisy, Sandler's performance is fine but overrated, I can't get into the weird airy score, and I really don't like the ending - but I do respect what the Safdies were going for.stefenemie
A 2-hour anxiety attack. I mean that in the best possible way.baraka92
Holy shit! I need a break after that.Why Adam? Why can’t you be like this more often?
TreadwayNathan
The Safdie Bros channeling their inner Tarantino.acoltismypassport
I had anxiety the whole way through.samoan
Adam Sandler is Amazing in this film. Really showing he not only can act but can put on an award winning performance. Wow. This movie is intense, stressful, and an emotional rollercoaster. Fantastic!Crit93
Troubled Sandler best Sandler. I love when the dude is in these catharsis situations.theZeffo
don't get the fuzz. okay film but parts of it quite bad and hard to connect to.unlikeable people in an unlikeable world do unlikeable things.
FireFox1
Stop the slapstick Adam, and start being serious. Like this.diegoivan
De Palma vibes anybody?satisfythecrave
Also, my Father liked this film, so I am happy.
Shidan
Holly fck I wasn't expecting that ending, but I liked itI really enjoyed the movie and Adam Sandler was better than expected.
I didn't loved it, but it's definitely worth watching.
devilsadvocado
The "This is how I win" speech by Howie is a wonderful and neutral ode to capitalism.Haven't felt this much anxiety from watching a movie since I saw Enter the Void. For those who feel movies should provide a pleasant viewing experience, skip this one. The characters are obnoxious and the situations unsettling.
Kevin Garnett did a decent job playing himself but his acting reel won't benefit from it.
theorangetimtam
The non-stop dialogue in this movie resembles a Play. You can only reflect on this movie upon its conclusion.chunkylefunga
I can see this film tried to do but it just ended up being too predictable.Showing items 1 – 15 of 27