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It was supposed to be the best movie of our generation; something so riveting, so groundbreaking, so iconic that nothing could top it.
Okay, well, maybe I’m exaggerating here, but, lately, it seems as if everywhere I turn, someone is talking about the movie “Uncut Gems,” starring Adam Sandler. Whether it was being discussed over dinner with my mom’s friends, at holiday parties, or even in the courtroom at jury duty (yes, true story), the movie was everywhere, and I couldn’t seem to escape it. However, it all came to a head when I saw one of the movies biggest stars, Wayne Diamond, in an Upper East Side coffee shop during winter break. After being told a million times, “You have to see it,” I finally did, and let me tell you, it wasn’t what I was expecting.
“Uncut Gems” follows the story of Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler), a Jewish man who owns a jewelry store in Manhattan’s Diamond District. Ratner is an interesting character, as he lives somewhat of a double life. He has a family and a fed-up wife named wife Dinah (Idina Menzel) on Long Island but also a bachelor pad and a mistress named Julia (Julia Fox) in Manhattan. Ratner and his wife are on the brink of divorce, presumably because he loves living the fast life, flashing fancy watches, eating gourmet steak dinners, snorting cocaine, and going to nightclubs. His house on Long Island is huge, and his Manhattan apartment has full doorman service and a penthouse view. At first, it seems like Howard Ratner has it all, but throughout the film, something else becomes increasingly clear: he has a gambling problem and is struggling to pay off his debts as a result. Betting mostly on basketball games, Ratner frequently finds himself with the wrong crowd and gets himself into trouble in this thrilling adventure.
And though this movie is, indeed, thrilling, it is also quite stressful. There’s hardly a moment where something isn’t moving, whether that be a person, an animal, or an object flying through the air. The movie is full of action, as there are frequent jump cuts, unexpected zoom-ins, and graphic close-ups. To add to this on-screen chaos, Ratner has a tendency to yell, greeting his famous customers (such as Kevin Garnett) with strident hellos, screeching into the phone about business, and shouting a grating series of protests when he’s tied up and thrown into the back of a car. While all of this might make for good entertainment, it’s also somewhat anxiety-inducing because the dramatic cinematography never stops. “Uncut Gems” makes your heart race and not in a good way. Throughout the entire two hours and 15 minutes, you’re on the edge of your seat, palms sweating, wondering if your plastic cup of Diet Coke will burst because you’re clutching it so hard.
One aspect of this film that was quite awesome were the wardrobes of each character and, of course, the glittering jewelry that went along with it. Ratner has an impressive collection of sweatsuits and flashy button-down shirts in all different shades. The jewels in his shop match this funky style, featuring a chain with a huge diamond Furby on it and a bright red Rolex watch. Menzel’s wardrobe is also quite impressive, especially in the scene where she tries on her old, hot pink Bat Mitzvah dress complete with a puff sleeve. The wardrobe in this movie is definitely fun and creative and was a highlight of the entire experience.
However, all of this aside, there’s one part of the movie that really stands out: the use of Jewish stereotypes in Sandler’s character. Sandler is depicted as someone who is obsessed with money, a dishonest business owner who is greedy and obsessed with flashing his wealth. Ratner is from Long Island, with a thick accent and slicked-back hair. Oftentimes, other characters refer to him as “the crazy Jew” or “the old Jew,” an almost literal enactment of the anti-Semitic stereotype that paints Jewish people as cheap and money hungry. I found that his character plays into the age-old, unfavorable tropes about Jewish people and how they act. As someone who is Jewish, I found some parts of this quite offensive. This movie could have been a great opportunity to portray Jewish people in a less stereotypical way, especially as anti-Semitism is on the rise in America. Nonetheless, it’s important to note that both the directors, the Safdie Brothers, and Sandler himself are Jewish.
Taking all of this into account, it may not be enough to take away from Sandler’s really phenomenal performance. He truly transformed into Ratner: his character was believable, and he played with passion. His mannerisms were spot-on, and his comedic voice was able to shine through. The role required a lot of physical movement and intensity, which Sandler nailed, and, for a character that was centered around drama and action, he managed to pull at the audience’s heartstrings every once in a while, balancing this heavy dichotomy.
Overall,“Uncut Gems” was unimpressive. It wasn’t the worst movie I’ve ever seen, but it also wasn’t the best one either. I’m not exactly sure what is causing all of this popularity, but don’t rush to the movie theaters if you’re afraid to miss it. You’ll wish you spent your money on“Little Women” instead.
Jane Herz can be reached at jherz@wesleyan.edu