basic information
Title: Uncut Gems
Director: Josh Safdie, Benny Safdie
Written by: Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie, Benny Safdie
Starring: Adam Sandler, Lakeith Stanfield, Julia Fox, Kevin Garnett, Idina Menzel, Eric Bogosian
Genres: Thriller, Crime, Drama
Release date: December 13, 2019 (United States)
Running time: 135 minutes
Production Company: Elara Pictures, Ida Independent Films, Lycry Story
Distributors: A24 (US), Netflix (International)
Plot:
"Uncut Gems" tells the story of Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler) who works as a jewelry store in New York's Diamond District. Howard is a charismatic and talkative jewelry store, which trades in high-end jewelry and luxury goods while also in debt at multiple locations, and is mired in fraud and gambling. From the beginning to the end of the movie, he struggles to control his life.
The movie starts when Howard obtains a rare Ethiopian opal. He intends to make a fortune through it, pay off his debt, and start a new life. However, his plans do not always go his way. His business partner and lenders are constantly pressing him, and his personal life is a mess, too. His relationship with his wife, Deena (Idina Menzel), is deteriorating, and his relationship with his young lover, Julia (Julia Fox), is not smooth.
Howard shows the opal to NBA star Kevin Garnett (who plays himself), and Kevin borrows the opal believing that the jewelry will improve his performance. Howard gets a chance to gamble on sports and make a lot of money with the money he receives from Kevin, but the situation keeps getting worse. His debt builds up, and he takes bigger risks and takes matters into his hands.
The tension in the film is heightened with questions about how Howard might or might change his fate. Howard eventually goes beyond his means, and his choices lead to unexpected consequences.
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