Review: Uncut Gems (2019)

5 Responses to Review: Uncut Gems (2019)

1. Jim Reding says:

   December 10, 2019 at 10:52 am

   Great review.

   Is there a score? I loved Heaven Knows What and Good Times, but found the scores distracting for both. I realize I’m in the minority on this.

   This is on my must see list, regardless. I always look forward to the times when Sandler pushes himself outside of his comfort zone.

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   • sheila says:

     December 10, 2019 at 11:08 am

     Jim – it’s amazing how Sandler made my heart ache for this extremely unpleasant character. But he’s a human being – he’s not a caricature –

     also, and I didn’t say this in the review but I’ll say it here:

     I can understand the appeal of drugs. I don’t do drugs and have never done the big drugs – like coke or heroin or anything like that – but I can understand the appeal. I can understand why people become addicted. I was given a couple pills of Oxy after I had my “procedure” a couple of years ago and the Oxy took away all my pain – physical AND emotional. So I get it.

     But for the life of me I do not understand the appeal of gambling. Maybe because I’m broke? I don’t know. It’s too stressful to even think about.

     Uncut Gems is the only movie that has made me really get – and not just get – but feel – the rush of the gambling addict. It was so stressful to watch but eventually I felt that the stress was thrilling for him – he needed it – it’s better than sex.

     It ALSO made me understand how people who bet on sports are having a whole other kind of experience than people like me, a regular fan of my teams, who never places bets. I imagine that once a gambling addict gives up his drug – he’d have a very hard time just sitting and watching a game, and being excited about the game as a game.

     Believe it or not – I just dont feel like I ever “grokked” it before now.

     There is a score- which you may find distracting, I’d be interested to hear. It’s definitely not a SHY score. :) The whole movie made me yearn for quiet. Just five minutes of silence PLEASE. The noise is incessant!!

     Reply
2. Melissa Sutherland says:

   December 11, 2019 at 12:30 am

   Sheila, really honest and interesting response to his note. I think the movie would drive me nuts, so probably won’t see it, but it does sound good.

   Reply
   • sheila says:

     December 14, 2019 at 7:21 am

     It’s really good.

     Reply
3. Jessie says:

   February 1, 2020 at 7:49 am

   oh my god Sheila I was SQUIRMING, I was rolling around on the couch moaning. I didn’t realise it was about gambling and it was so stressful. The CACOPHONY of this movie. I was talking with my friend yesterday about how much I enjoyed Good Time as one of those movies where you’re just watching someone think and move through the world and problem-solve on the fly (even if they keep making awful decisions) and how I was hoping this would be similar but I feel like in this movie you don’t even see Howard THINK, it’s just synapses firing, it’s electricity, you see him EXPERIENCE a subatomic drive but the decision has already been made, a whole loop of thought is short-circuited by need. You see a spark of him slow down and try to ride the wave, like when he’s making an effort with his family, and then you realise that at core gambling on whether he’ll keep his family. You go inside him and it’s a mystery. It’s unknowable, it’s bottomless. What a kickass movie. Your review is spot on!

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