**This review will contain spoilers, but I will denote when they begin and end.**

This is a very tricky one. I had issues with this movie and every one of them stems from the Safdies. That said, this is a movie I enjoyed a lot, but it did teach me one very important screenwriting lesson.

First, the good:

Really well shot. The look of the movie was very nice.

The Safdies' ear for dialogue. It wasn't perfect, but the way they could overlap three different people talking and you never lost what was being said, nor the point of the scene, that takes skill.

The actual plotting of the script. The way things continue to get worse and worse.

The acting, all-around (for the most part).

The characterizations. You know who everyone is and why they are who they are.

The not-so-good:

Adam Sandler. He's not bad. In fact, he's very good. The problem is that I believe the Safdies misdirected him and wrote his character the wrong way (personal opinion). He gave a very good performance when it had the potential to be an all-time great performance. As much as it's been lauded, his performance as Barry Egan was much stronger and much more well-defined.

The Safdies' one-note sequence set-up. This made the script predictable and, unfortunately, I knew exactly how the movie would end, just an hour into it. The set-up **MASSIVE SPOILERS COMING** is as follows: Sandler hustles somebody, makes a bet to get himself out of a hole, things look like they're going well, it goes wrong, Sandler ends up in a worse position than he was before that sequence. Four times, this happened in exactly the same way. As a result, you knew how the following scenes would work out. If even one of these sequences didn't work this way, I may not have seen that ending coming. **MASSIVE SPOILERS END**

The Safdies actively took tension out of scenes. This one is a bit harder to explain and, while some may disagree, if you honestly watch some of these tense scenes and compare them to others in film history, these won't stand up. They seem to believe that noise is the key to tension (by adding music, yelling, more people), when it's actually elevated stakes that raise tension. **MASSIVE SPOILERS COMING** How much more tense would it have been, in the final sequence, if Sandler hadn't locked the gangsters in the sealed room but, rather, they were in the office with him?

This leads to another problem with the ending. When they kill Sandler, they're actively screwing themselves out of a whole bunch of money. Why wouldn't you wait for her to bring the $1.2 million back, then kill him and take all the money, instead of a bunch of cheap jewels? **MASSIVE SPOILERS END**

Overall, I liked the movie, but it had some structural problems (the script and directing) that couldn't be easily fixed.

7/10.

Quoted from Mr. Blonde **This review will contain spoilers, but I will denote when they begin and end.** This is a very tricky one. I had issues with this movie and every one of them stems from the Safdies. That said, this is a movie I enjoyed a lot, but it did teach me one very important screenwriting lesson. First, the good: Really well shot. The look of the movie was very nice. The Safdies' ear for dialogue. It wasn't perfect, but the way they could overlap three different people talking and you never lost what was being said, nor the point of the scene, that takes skill. The actual plotting of the script. The way things continue to get worse and worse. The acting, all-around (for the most part). The characterizations. You know who everyone is and why they are who they are. The not-so-good: Adam Sandler. He's not bad. In fact, he's very good. The problem is that I believe the Safdies misdirected him and wrote his character the wrong way (personal opinion). He gave a very good performance when it had the potential to be an all-time great performance. As much as it's been lauded, his performance as Barry Egan was much stronger and much more well-defined. The Safdies' one-note sequence set-up. This made the script predictable and, unfortunately, I knew exactly how the movie would end, just an hour into it. The set-up **MASSIVE SPOILERS COMING** is as follows: Sandler hustles somebody, makes a bet to get himself out of a hole, things look like they're going well, it goes wrong, Sandler ends up in a worse position than he was before that sequence. Four times, this happened in exactly the same way. As a result, you knew how the following scenes would work out. If even one of these sequences didn't work this way, I may not have seen that ending coming. **MASSIVE SPOILERS END** The Safdies actively took tension out of scenes. This one is a bit harder to explain and, while some may disagree, if you honestly watch some of these tense scenes and compare them to others in film history, these won't stand up. They seem to believe that noise is the key to tension (by adding music, yelling, more people), when it's actually elevated stakes that raise tension. **MASSIVE SPOILERS COMING** How much more tense would it have been, in the final sequence, if Sandler hadn't locked the gangsters in the sealed room but, rather, they were in the office with him? This leads to another problem with the ending. When they kill Sandler, they're actively screwing themselves out of a whole bunch of money. Why wouldn't you wait for her to bring the $1.2 million back, then kill him and take all the money, instead of a bunch of cheap jewels? **MASSIVE SPOILERS END** Overall, I liked the movie, but it had some structural problems (the script and directing) that couldn't be easily fixed. 7/10.

SPOILERS SPOILERS

Having not seen the movie, but only reading the script, I thought it was great. The writing was edgy, kept pushing the story forward at a breakneck pace.

Personally, I don't know if it would have made it more tense if he hadn't locked them in the room. At that point all the tension was supposed to be wrapped up in the game. At least that's what I got from it.

And I'm pretty sure the guy who popped Sandler in the end kinda hated him throughout the movie, if I'm not mistaken, so it makes sense to me.

Quoted from SAC SPOILERS SPOILERS Having not seen the movie, but only reading the script, I thought it was great. The writing was edgy, kept pushing the story forward at a breakneck pace. Personally, I don't know if it would have made it more tense if he hadn't locked them in the room. At that point all the tension was supposed to be wrapped up in the game. At least that's what I got from it. And I'm pretty sure the guy who popped Sandler in the end kinda hated him throughout the movie, if I'm not mistaken, so it makes sense to me.

**STILL SPOILERS**

I understand why they paced it the way they did, but this would've played out so much better if it had only taken place over the period of two days, instead of about six. I'd rather it be 24 hours, but they don't play playoff basketball games on consecutive nights.

The tension was supposed to be wrapped up in the game. The problem is the sequencing. You know, because of how the other sequences followed the formula, that he's going to win the bet, but something else will go wrong and make things worse.

He did hate him, that's true. But, Sandler just told him he won $1.2 million. I think you could wait an hour, "Look, we're going to wait here 'til she gets back to collect the money, just to make sure you're being straight with us." She comes back, bang-bang, take the money and go. The problem is, you can't even say it was an emotional decision, either, because he was locked in the room for about four hours and knew, with certainty, Sandler is going to deliver a hell of a lot more money than they get from a bunch of cheap jewelry.

**END SPOILERS**

Anyway, like I said, I liked the movie. The trouble is, I wanted to like it a whole lot more.

Loved it (but not as much as Good Time). Nail biting, stellar performance by Sandler, and gorgeous. I dug the energy driving the film and found it thoroughly entertaining.

In regards to the ending...

SPOILERS

My takeaway was that the dude was entirely fed up with Sandler and his shenanigans. He was trapped for over two hours and simply had enough. There was no guarantee that he would ever see the million that Sandler won since he can't stop placing bigger and bigger bets. Plus, they robbed the jewelry store so I figured that's how they got their money back.  

This movie gave me a panic attack

Quoted from Mr. Blonde This leads to another problem with the ending. When they kill Sandler, they're actively screwing themselves out of a whole bunch of money. Why wouldn't you wait for her to bring the $1.2 million back, then kill him and take all the money, instead of a bunch of cheap jewels?

SPECIFIC SPOILERAGE

I think this could be answered this way:

It is The second surprise death of Arno,and the thugs making it look like a robbery gone bad. At this point, goons Phil and Nico have had enough, and Phil, already have made up his mind. (he was the one also bit by Howard) The million is not owed to them, it is owed to Arno, who they work for. They can always find other employment for another loan shark.  In addition, they assumed that the third thug who was stalking Dinah at the casino would find her even after the game was won. In any case, the thugs were tired of being jerked around.  Arno was clearly upset not just because he now is involved in murder of his brother in law and won't see that money. It's his loss, not Phil and Nico's. In Arno's panic, the choice was made. He would turn on them. Things got messed up, so they took the cheap watches and diamonds (which could pass for better quality to a layman), not due to monetary value, but to make it look like a robbery gone wrong. in short, the thugs were improvising.

I really liked the setup; you knew something was going to go wrong, but you didn't know when or where. Much is made of Dinah's situation at the casino, with the thug looking for her before, during, and minutes after the game ended. There's an addition of the eccentric high roller, who might do something especially after he "takes a shower" but it turns out it's red herring, he just wants a little company watching the game. When you see him walkout of the casino with the cash you think oh no he stole from Diah and may have dome something to her that's salt in the wound, (as the murders took place just before) but then he hands it off to Dinah.

There's also a question of Howard being in violation of violating the Customs act (he smuggled Opal) so another thing that could go wrong is getting arrested for that. He could lose the gamble. Anything could go wrong at any time.(to be fair, they never really address this in the film; perhaps it is why the opal is of lesser value than originally thought)

Then it's over and it appears safe and it should be. But these are shady people, and a happy everything's fine ending would betray the setup. Something has to go wrong. But Howard wins, frees his brother in law and the goons...and something goes bad, real bad. But it had to happen.

Quoted from AlsoBen This movie gave me a panic attack

I felt the same way. Last time I felt this jangled was watching Pushing Tin, about air-traffic controllers. So frantic... It's one mark of a really good movie imho.

I loved the way certain things were set up to make you think of predictable outcomes - the pawned ring, not getting the rock back, the creepy looking guy in the final scene - but then they turned things on their head.

A travesty Adam Sandler didn't get an Academy Award nomination for this, and that the movie was snubbed in general for Oscars.

AS often irritates me in a lot of his comedies, but in straight roles I'm always impressed.

Had its flaws (pun intended) but overall, great viewing!

It was Okay. I liked Good Time better.

Loved it.

Madness that Sandler didn't receive an Oscar nomination. I thought his performance was sublime (coming from not one of his biggest fans). I do love when actors give performances against type.

The film itself kept me on edge, gave me multiple anxiety attacks and made me try reach into its world and give Sandler a good shaking, to prevent him from making his next bad decision.

After this and Good Time, I'll be looking forward to the Safdie's next one.

Quoted from AlsoBen This movie gave me a panic attack

Glad I wasn't the only one - Should come with an anxiety warning.

Yeah, this was fantastic, an ass clenching 130 minutes. On a par with Good Time

Another testament against the fallacy that your protagonist, or any character for the matter, must be likable or sympathetic. What matters is that you are engaged in their struggle and compelled to keep watching.

Spoliers!!!




I also didn't have a problem with Phil shooting Howard at the end, it was a complete shock but in the best way. It made sense yet I didn't see it coming. As others have said here, Howard actually doesn't owe him the money. Sure he might get a cut but its Arno who is owed and there are indicators he's not as ruthless as the others in large part due to their family connection. Phil (& Nico) were just sick of Howard's bullshit and knew he was going to keeping dicking them around if they didn't take drastic action themselves.

This resentment surpassed the possibility of getting paid. The fact that the sonofabitch actually pulled off the gamble sickened them. I would go so far to say that Howard winning the bet and landing the biggest windfall of his life is what made the guy do it.

I didn't recognize the sequential repetition, this film kept surprising me. Maybe a second viewing would elucidate it for me.

I gave up after 20 minutes, which is rare for me. I think I've only given up on three of four movies in my entire life.

The 80's techno soundtrack was annoying. Every scene was just filled with noise, multiple characters trying to say f*** as many time as possible at the same time I could see where it was heading a mile away.

I was hoping it was going to get better and maybe it did but after 20 minutes my wife asked if we could watch something else and I readily agreed.

Quoted from MarkRenshaw I gave up after 20 minutes, which is rare for me. I think I've only given up on three of four movies in my entire life. The 80's techno soundtrack was annoying. Every scene was just filled with noise, multiple characters trying to say f*** as many time as possible at the same time I could see where it was heading a mile away. I was hoping it was going to get better and maybe it did but after 20 minutes my wife asked if we could watch something else and I readily agreed.

Dang, you bowed out early. Shame.

Say want you want about the film but I'll be damned if anybody can anticipate where it's going to go from one moment to the next. It consistently surprised me anyway right up the final shock.

Quoted from MarkRenshaw I gave up after 20 minutes, which is rare for me...

Mark, I felt exactly the same way about the first twenty or so minutes, and if Husband hadn't been sitting next to me insisting we stick it out to see what alI the fuss was about I would have turned it off too

The opening with the incessant din was incredibly annoying and I kept wanting to know what the hell the characters were saying. I was tempted at one point to even turn the subtitles on. It's a stylistic choice the Safdie brothers quite deliberately chose and after a while it added to the frenetic tone. All I can say is that after a while it either grew on me or it wasn't quite as noticeable in certain scenes where we're meant to hear all the dialogue.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/15/movies/uncut-gems-soundtrack.html

https://www.fastcompany.com/90442346/how-benny-and-josh-safdie-created-the-most-chaotic-moment-ever-on-film-in-uncut-gems

I hope you'll revisit it at some point cause imho it is worth the watch.

Quoted from Colkurtz8 I'll be damned if anybody can anticipate where it's going to go from one moment to the next.

I did. That was my biggest issue.

Quoted from Mr. Blonde I did. That was my biggest issue.

SPOILERS SPOILERS

You knew that Garnett was gonna bring the stone back eventually, that Howard wasn't gonna lose the championship ring, that the gambler was going to help Julia, that Arno was going to stop Howard's first bet, that the auction house was going to value the stone so low?

Or you just knew that the movie was gonna end as it did? Because that part is apparent from the first seconds when a cursed object is taken from the earth and immediately extracts a blood price.

Yeah, it's a movie about a guy that traps himself into bigger and bigger bets/risks until it blows up in his face. Lots of movies about losers have this structure. But if you managed to anticipate the particulars of this movie, which starts by cutting from a diamond mine to the inside of its protagonist's asshole, I am very impressed.

Quoted from Heretic SPOILERS SPOILERS You knew that Garnett was gonna bring the stone back eventually, that Howard wasn't gonna lose the championship ring, that the gambler was going to help Julia, that Arno was going to stop Howard's first bet, that the auction house was going to value the stone so low? Or you just knew that the movie was gonna end as it did? Because that part is apparent from the first seconds when a cursed object is taken from the earth and immediately extracts a blood price. Yeah, it's a movie about a guy that traps himself into bigger and bigger bets/risks until it blows up in his face. Lots of movies about losers have this structure. But if you managed to anticipate the particulars of this movie, which starts by cutting from a diamond mine to the inside of its protagonist's asshole, I am very impressed.

SPOILERS!!!




Yeah, all of the above I didn't anticipate either. I also didn't see the ending coming within the context of the preceding scenes i.e. watching the game and winning the bet right in front of his creditors.

From the outset I assumed Howie would get whacked but then changed my mind during that closing sequence...Then he actually does. Masterful.

Quoted from MarkRenshaw I gave up after 20 minutes, which is rare for me. I think I've only given up on three of four movies in my entire life. The 80's techno soundtrack was annoying. Every scene was just filled with noise, multiple characters trying to say f*** as many time as possible at the same time I could see where it was heading a mile away. I was hoping it was going to get better and maybe it did but after 20 minutes my wife asked if we could watch something else and I readily agreed.

Agreed, especially with this: The 80's techno soundtrack was annoying. Every scene was just filled with noise.

I bowed out early as well. Just so many people talking over each other in almost every scene I saw, also there was nothing that really grabbed me in the first 30 minutes or so.

Maybe I should give it another chance but I cant see that happening.

Note to Mark and Warren. Stay away from the work of Robert Altman ;D

Quoted from Colkurtz8 Note to Mark and Warren. Stay away from the work of Robert Altman ;D

Noted :)

Okay - saw it.

Hmm.

So, as is the case with all movies I need at least one or two characters that I'm rooting for/like. In the case of this film I pretty much disliked everyone. Just my thing I guess, but it's hard to get into a film when you don't give an eff about anyone.

Way to chaotic - more than needed. A few more quiet moments to let us settle in.

Not the type of movie you can recommend to people without a lot of caveats.

Not for me. I can see why is it for some