Uncut Gems (2019)

Let’s talk now about where Sandler’s career is now and where we see him going in the next ten years.

As much as we love George Simmons, Barry Eagon, and Robbie Hart, Howard Ratner is our favorite Sandler performance. It’s crazy how we straight-up didn’t know The Sandman had this type of role in him.

What’s even crazier is how perfect he is in this film's ecosystem. It makes sense he is going to be starring in the Safdie Brothers' newest film.

He is a perfect match for their “LOUD cinema” style of filmmaking.

The Safdie Brothers are some of the best filmmakers working in the industry. With their approach to modernizing the “Hackman Thrillers” named after the great Gene Hackman.

Think Night Moves or The Conversation.

Crime films that keep you rooting for truly reprehensible people.

They also very much attended the Quentin Tarintino school of rehabilitating actors' images.

Taking Robert Pattinson from the sparkly vampire to the gritty prestige actor that makes perfect sense to play Batman. Then turning Adam Sandler from a nine-time Razzie winner (Fuck the Razzies) to “Why doesn’t this guy have an Oscar?”.

The Safdie’s understand the importance of a movie star and craft their movies around them.

One of the things the Safdie Brothers are so good at is making every moment of every scene so damn stressful.

But why is that?

It’s not just that it’s well written, although that is true.

It’s how they sound.

At all times they are layering in a score that has instruments keeping different time. Dialogue that fucks you up at every moment. And prominent sound design to create an experience that overstimulates your ears.

To put it simply, their movies are like holding a screaming baby while trying to have a conversation about house foreclosures during mariachi night at your favorite mexican restaurant.

All week we’ve discussed Sandler’s persona and how his greatest powers as an actor are yelling and honesty. This film utilizes both beautifully.

This film's sound is meant to overstimulate you.

And what’s more over-stimulating than Sandler running around screaming at people for no reason?

His performance is like watching people put rubberbands around a watermelon.

Every snap of the band makes you think it’s about to explode. Every time it doesn’t, your hands get clammier and clammier.

Most importantly though, Howard Ratner is full of shit! At no point during this film is he ever on the up and up or doing anything for any reason other than to make money and get his rocks off.

Sandler is able to utilize that earnest energy.

He naturally emits to make everything he says feel so honest even though we can’t fully believe him because he’s obviously so full of it.

It really is a shame he didn’t win an Oscar for this!

Guess Monday’s Film