Adam Sandler gets serious in Uncut Gems, the latest from the writer/director duo Josh and Benny Safdie.
Like the Safdies’ previous film, Good Time, this is all about navigating New York City’s streets, but the areas are a bit nicer this time around. Sandler plays a jeweler/gambler, one with access to enough money to make a truly big score. Or, if it goes wrong, dig a really deep hole. He’s not exactly making blind bets, though, as he moves in circles where he encounters the athletes he gambles on. That should theoretically give him a leg up, but with the amount of money he plays with, it could all come crashing down in an instant.
Josh and Benny really broke through with Good Time, but that success was built on a string of acclaimed features and shorts. They may be young, but they’ve got the experience to pull off something truly special, and they seem to be sticking to the kind of story they’ve mastered.
With increased recognition comes an even splashier cast, and the big get was Adam Sandler in one of his more serious roles. Sure, this is still dealing in black comedy, but it’s a far cry from the broad, crude humor he’s best known for. Idina Menzel and Lakeith Stanfield are also lurking around, and of course you can’t miss basketball star Kevin Garnett, who plays himself.
People are pretty amped to see if the Safdies can continue their meteoric rise, and with so many stars aligned, it’s hard to imagine this going wrong.
Uncut Gems is directed by Josh and Benny Safdie and stars Adam Sandler, Kevin Garnett, Idina Menzel, and Lakeith Stanfield. It will be released in the US on December 13th, 2019. Further release dates are not currently known.
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