Review of Uncut Gems (2019) by Matisyahu — 24 Dec 2019

Not going to lie - not sure how this movie got an 89 from the critics. It's an unpleasant movie, as it's pretty hard to cheer for a degenerate gambler who continues to dig himself into bigger holes. Almost plays out like a PSA for gamblers anonymous.

Not sure what the hype is with these Safdieh brothers, they have a tendency to rip off elements from Brian De Palma, including over the top synths/ominous music over situations that don't really deserve the degree of tension they're trying to create.

The protagonist is such a victim of his own making, however, that you don't really feel much sympathy for him which in turn makes the stakes pretty low. Sandler's dynamic with his stripper mistress felt like a cliché ripoff from a lot of other movies I have seen previously.

Spike Lee's, "The 25th Hour" is a much better film with similar themes, yet is much more watchable. There's one scene in particular (no spoiler) where it just oozes of Sandler angling for that GG/Oscar nomination and lacks authenticity in terms of how the film progresses.

Kevin Garnett doesn't bring much in terms of humorous dialogue or real acting chops, either. There were very few laughs in my theater, as well. Critics will drink the Safdieh juice and Sandler playing a more serious character, but I predict there will be a gap in terms of how audiences respond.