Review of Uncut Gems (2019) by Compi24 — 02 Jan 2020

In 2017, Josh and Benny Safdie let their frenetic, pulse-pounding, morally murky stylings loose with "Good Time." I guess they were really holding out on us, however, because "Uncut Gems" takes literally every element that I enjoyed in "Good Time," and ups the ante, for both better and -- in some cases -- for the slightly less better.

Things just never feel easy in this movie. There's always some ticking clock, force of pushback, or complication preventing our main character from getting what he wants. It places you in a state of perpetual unease and it's quite well done.

And speaking of main characters, one can't possibly opine on "Uncut Gems" without discussing Adam Sandler's performance. What else is there to say that hasn't already been said? It's simply sublime, if performances this slimy and disgusting could ever be.

Every event and amount of pressure mounted perfectly manifests itself into Sandler's behavior and demeanor, giving you the honest to God impression that this guy's toilet of a life is really starting to overflow.

And like "Good Time," this film definitely steers away from the crowd-pleasing ending, though it may do so a bit too drastically for my tastes. Where "Good Time's" ending felt bittersweet and apt, this one simply makes you realize what you've really just finished -- a real workout.

I'd be shocked if even the most emotionally jacked human beings didn't leave feeling sore.