MOVIE: Uncut Gems

I finished this 5/20/2020 and I loved it!

Uncut Gems follows the story of Howard Ratner played by Adam Sandler. This role is perfect for Adam Sandler and shows how good of an actor he is. The movie is hectic as it follows him around the diamond shop district in NYC. He's constantly moving to make deals and managing a family and an affair. The focus of the movie is the rare gem that is the key to him being able to get out of his debts. It is a large debt that he owes to his brother-in-law and the thrill of him being chased propels the movie. One of my favorite scenes is when they chase him while he's at his daughter's play. In order to get himself out of his debts, we watch as he gambles with everything he owns. He is constantly jumping around making deals and promises. We see his wins and feel the thrill of gambling through him. He deals with a real-life Kevin Garnett who wants the rock and eventually gets it after Ratner accidentally bought it at his own auction. Once he sells it, his brother-in-law comes looking for his money, but he sends the money to the casino to put on Kevin Garnett. It's this final bet that ends the movie and provides the final most exciting part as we watch him win the bet. All the action, all the thrill you feel like you yourself made it and won. It's when he is shot as well as his brother-in-law that you come back to earth and the message of the movie reveals itself. Gambling as much as it is a thrill is also a fatal activity.

That feeling right after winning big is something that we all know and that movie feeds into this and brings it front and center. You feel the ups and downs with Adam Sandler. That's what makes the sudden and sad ending so surprising, but also so not surprising. You are so happy to see him win big because you felt apart of it, but forget the fatality in Howard Ratner's lifestyle.