UNCUT GEMS

US, 2019, 135 minutes, Colour.
Adam Sandler, Julia Fox, Idina Menzel, La Keith Stanfield, Kevin Garnett, Eric Bogosian, Keith Williams Richards, Judd Hirsch, Wayne Diamond, Pom Clementief, John Amos, Cash Out, Trinidad James, voices of: Natasha Lyonne, Tilda Swinton.
Directed by Josh and Benny Safdie.

Uncut Gems received a great deal of critical praise. However, many of the Netflix audiences were quite dissatisfied.

One of the main praiseworthy aspect of the film was the performance by Adam Sandler, very different from his usual comic roles, a serious man, in many ways a conman, a gambler, caught up in all kinds of intrigues, exploiting his customers, clashing with his brother, played by Eric Bogosian.

He owns a jewellery shop, has various agents, including La Keith Stanfield, to bring people to his store – especially the basketball player, Kevin Garnett, as himself.

In the opening sequences, the audience sees opal mining in Africa and the discovery of a large gem, its coming to the United States, Sandler wanting it, getting it, exploiting it, the basketball player getting possession and then the attempts by Sandler to get it back.

The film shows the ugly side of the diamond district, delves at times into the Jewish background of Sandler and his family, shows the dangers of becoming involved with violent gangsters.

Perhaps the main reason for seeing this film is the different performance by Adam Sandler.

1. The title, the black opal, the drilling in Africa, Ethiopian, the accident, the discovery of the opal? Its place in the plot?

2. The visuals, travelling with the camera into the opal, into the surgery? The repeat of that technique?

3. New York City, the Diamond District, shops, streets, the Jewish area? The musical score?

4. Awards, hire a claim, IMDb bloggers and their condemnation?

5. The introduction to Howard, the operation table, the performance of Adam Sandler, his age, appearance, character, bravado, relationship with his former wife and divorce after Passover, his three children, Julia working in the shop, setting our up in the apartment? His gambling, the risks, high debts, tangled with loan sharks? His eagerness and receiving the parcel with the opal?

6. Howard and audience response, any sympathy for him? His talk, action, bluster, behaviour in the shop, in his office, interaction with his assistants, the relationship with Julia, clashing with her, reinstating her? Pushing through situations?

7. Demany, his presence, recruiting clients, his advice? With Kevin Garnett, a coup? American basketball, the sequences of basketball and the competitions? Kevin Garnett, his presence, Howard showing off, showing the opal, garnet attracted, seems a charm, exchanging his ring?

8. The consequences, Howard pawning the ring, the difficulties in getting it back later? The money to repay debts, the pressures on him, violent attitudes?

9. His place in the bet, watching the match, intercutting with the play? The success?

10. Armin, his brother, loan shark, his thugs? The pressure on Howard? I know cancelling the bet because with his mother money? Howard disappointment? Adapting?

11. Arno, his character, thugs, treating his brother, humiliations? Everybody gathering of the house, the meal, the father and his presence? The Jewish tradition?

12. Howard and his children, the visits to his ex-wife, demands, seeming to break, the social and her behaviour, the concert? Exit from the concert, his being bashed, naked in the
car, finding his wife, returning to the concert? The aftermath at home with his daughter?

13. The setting up of the auction, breaking his father, the dramatic tension of the beads and his desire to have the opal? Withdrawing? His father left with the debt? The deal? Howard trying to recuperate the ring, get the money?

14. The appraisal of the opal, less than expected, garnet still wanting it, the discussions?

15. The discussions with garnet, the sail? Arno and the thugs? His getting Julia to make the bet, the helicopter ride? Julia and the admiring friend and his getting the money?

16. Howard, the match, trapping Arno and his thugs, letting them free? Winning $1 million?

17. Howard, the thug and suddenly shooting Howard dead? Turning his gun on Arno? The thug and his friend wrecking the shop?

18. Money, greed, gambling, risks, violence and destruction?