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The 2019 film Uncut Gems stars the unlikely pairing of former Celtics NBA star Kevin Garnett and comedic actor Adam Sandler. Garnett and Sandler play a new type of game as serious actors in the dark comedy basketball film. But don’t be too quick to deem this a “sports movie” with an NBA star trying to crossover into acting. Neither should the name “Adam Sandler” also deter you from thinking you’re going to watch yet another comedy.
Elara Pictures’ Uncut Gems launches audiences into the world of wealth and gambling at a supersonic speed. The film explodes with high-paced energy through Sandler’s frenetic execution of his character and Garnett’s obsessive entrancement with a luxurious gem that matches Sandler’s vivacity. Hold onto your seat during Garnett and Sandler’s feverish performances in a game of obsession, passion, gambling, and of course, basketball.
Why Uncut Gems features A 2012 Kevin Garnett
First, here’s a brief history lesson to help you understand the nuances of this intricately complex film. Elara Pictures’ Uncut Gems essentially functions as a sort of period piece from the year 2012. Kevin Garnett’s character believes in the luck of the uncut gem in the movie. Adam Sandler’s character, Howard Ratner begins to bet money on Garnett’s playoff games after the film vitally reveals that Garnett wins when he gains brief ownership of Howard’s uncut gem.
Garnett’s actual 2012 basketball playoff performance wins and losses parallel whether Garnett had the gem in his possession or not in Uncut Gems. Directors Benny and Josh Safdie literally structured the film’s narrative around Garnett’s athletic performances during the actual NBA 2012 Eastern Conference Semifinals.
“’We needed it to be a certain type of game that represented a ‘gem game,’” Benny says. That meant one in which Garnett, inspired by having the opal, delivered a well-rounded performance. Making things more difficult was that Garnett’s “gem games” needed to be broken up by poor performances.”
The Ringer
Kevin Garnett eventually led the Boston Celtics to victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in the rocky seven-game East Semi series. Although this wasn’t the highlight of the 2012 playoffs since Kevin’s performances included both highs and lows. Considering how the film centralizes around gambling, the Sadfie brothers sought out an NBA performance with a varying amount of losses. Thus, Kevin Garnett’s 2012 playoff series perfectly aligned with the Sadfie brothers’ vision for the dramatic structure of Uncut Gems.
Kevin Garnett Brings His Acting Game
“[N]ow it starts to hit you and you see everybody kind of get in their own zone and you’ve got people clearing out the set. As you build up to that point, it had a lot of parallels to sports. The walk out there, the anticipation, the buildup, all that. “
Kevin Garnett (on acting during the filming of Uncut Gems, EW)
Although Uncut Gems isn’t Garnett’s first stride into the acting world, he landed a feature role that pushed the movie’s narrative forward. But be warned, Garnett’s intense commitment toward his role required explicit fidelity to harsh language and actions. In the seedy world of sports gambling, Garnett’s character does not shy away from using a plethora of curse words. Supposing the spiritual connection to the gem will provide him an advantage in his basketball playoff games, Garnett’s character obsesses over ownership of New York Diamond District jeweler, Howard Ratner’s rare opal.
Emotionally, Garnett’s acting proves a far cry from the comedic absurdity of former NBA star Michael Jordan’s nonchalant attitude in Space Jam. As an actor, Garnett conveys his characters’ captivating fascination in the symbolic token of the uncut gem. Despite limited prior acting experience, Garnett seamlessly weaves together his passion for basketball and performance rehearsal in Uncut Gems. Garnett was already a stellar performer in fast-paced games on the basketball court. Hence, Garnett works just as fervently in the film to keep up with the seasoned Adam Sandler. Through Garnett’s dedication and passion toward his role as an actor, he matches and excels expectations of the nonstop narrative speed in Uncut Gems.
Adam Sandler Channels Chaos In uncut Gems
If you’ve seen Uncut Gems, you already know that the Oscars robbed Adam Sandler of a nomination for his explosive performance in the film. In past years, Sandler triumphantly broke out of his (often) formulaic comedy roles to showcase his dramatic range, like in The Meyerowitz Stories. While no one disputes Sandler’s undeniable success in the film industry, Uncut Gems allows Sandler the rare opportunity to flaunt his multifaceted acting talent. As a fellow basketball enthusiast, he serves as the perfect foil to Kevin Garnett’s character in Uncut Gems. Here, Sandler delivers his (arguably) most challenging, chaotic performance to date.
“Everything I do, it’s not going right, and I don’t know what to do.”
Howard Ratner (Uncut Gems)
Like the fast-paced speed of an NBA game, Adam Sandler’s skill as a performer shines in portraying the incessant manic state of his character, Howard Ratner. On account of this, Sandler produces a jarring performance in his portrayal of a self-destructive jeweler. Sandler and Garnett riff off of each other, equally desperate to exude the passion and enthusiasm for control of their characters. Critically, the lightening speed of dialogue in Uncut Gems parallels the frenetic game of Howard Ratner’s gambling addiction. Adam Sandler demonstrates exceptional dramatic acting chops in the chaos of the film.
Mayhem In The Game Of The Uncut Gem
“They say you can see the whole universe in opals.”
Howard Ratner (Uncut Gems)
Uncut Gems embodies disorder, and turmoil; it has been described as an anxiety-inducing heart attack. Garnett and Sandler’s portrayal of their characters give the audience a chance to experience the obsessive nature of greed and domination. The film powers forward like a train without giving anyone — the actors, characters, or the audience — a single moment to relax.
Garnett truly communicates an unquestionable need to possess the extraordinary opal through his expressive performance. Additionally, we watch Sandler demonstrate his engrossing control as an actor over Howard Ratner’s absence of control. Both actors transfix audiences with their character’s desire to win the game of owning the gem as it continually changes hands.
Destruction In Obsession
Ultimately, an obsession with winning and superstition lies at the core of Uncut Gems. When Howard Ratner first shows Garnett the gem, he becomes inexplicably enamored with its beauty. Audibly voicing an inward, spiritual connection, Garnett obsessively believes in the aura of the uncut gem to propel him toward victory in his 2012 NBA playoff games.
Meanwhile, Ratner gambles away money and assets he can’t possibly repay. When Ratner loans Kevin Garnett the gem for his next playoff game, Garnett wins after an unbelievable performance. Subsequently, Ratner then obsessively banks on the success in Kevin’s performances in the aforementioned basketball series. Ratner places bet after bet on both Kevin’s individual stats and the victory of the Celtics in the playoff series. Consequently, he bets money he doesn’t have, trying to repay previous debts through consistent gambling.
“This hasn’t been straight since I got here.”
Kevin Garnett (Uncut Gems)
Adam Sandler poignantly portrays Ratner’s descent into an inescapable web of destruction. Garnett gives a spellbinding speech that shatters previous assumptions about his character at the end of the movie (I won’t give it away). Garnett and Ratner’s characters both win and lose the power hungry game of the uncut gem. Accordingly, Kevin Garnett and Adam Sandler intimately reveal how obsession with gambling and basketball unite and desecrate the lives of their characters in Uncut Gems.
Be A Spectator Of Uncut Gems
Before you sit down and empathize with these insanely flawed characters, know that Uncut Gems doesn’t hold back in creating a graphic depiction of the gritty reality these characters endure. The language is consistently explicit, and the number of F-bombs in this film remains too high to count. Regardless, I invite you to the game. Watch Kevin Garnett and Adam Sandler’s talented performances in an untamed world of gambling, wealth, and power grounded in raw realism.
Uncut Gems provides an opportunity to witness two actors exceeding expectations way outside of their comfort zone. Kevin and Adam prove themselves as the true sparkling gems of Uncut Gems. As of May 25th, Uncut Gems is streaming on Netflix.