Uncut Gems (2019)

With his debts mounting and angry collectors closing in, a fast-talking New York City jeweler risks everything in hope of staying afloat and alive.

Directors:

Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie

Writers:

Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie

Stars:

Adam Sandler, Julia Fox, Idina Menzel

24 wins & 72 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mesfin Lamengo	...	Wounded Miner
Sun Zhi Hua-Hilton	...	Mine Foreman
Liang Wei-Hui-Duncan	...	Mine Management 1
Sunny Wu Jin Zahao	...	Mine Management 2
Deneke Muhugeta	...	Lead Miner 1
Habtunu Africho	...	Lead Miner 2
Warren Finkelstein	...	Dr. Blauman
Adam Sandler	...	Howard Ratner
Keith William Richards	...	Phil
Tommy Kominik	...	Nico
LaKeith Stanfield	...	Demany
Maksud Agadjani	...	Yussi
Ca$h Out	...	Ca$h Out
Andrea Linsky	...	Joani
Roman Persits	...	Roman

Storyline

Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler) is a once successful New York gems dealer whose gambling addiction has left his family and career in shambles, and him hundreds of thousands in debt. Always looking for the next big bet, Howard thinks he finally hit it big when he discovers a rare uncut rock of Ethiopian gems, with a very interested high-profile buyer. But the closer Howard gets to finally winning big, the more he is forced to realize he can't keep running from the consequences of his actions.

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Plot Keywords:

jewelry | murder | neo noir | new york city | jewish | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive strong language, violence, some sexual content and brief drug use.

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Safdie Brothers wanted to make this film since 2009 and prior to Good Time (2017), but couldn't get the project off the ground due to lack of financing. During that waiting period, Robert Pattinson contacted the brothers via e-mail and said he was interested to work with them after he randomly discovered the poster of actress Arielle Holmes covered in pink neon light from their previous film Heaven Knows What (2014) on the Internet. After they met with Pattinson, liking him and being inspired by his energy, the Safdies spontaneously started to write Good Time (2017) with him in mind. After the film's premiere in Cannes and the following critical success, the brothers found themselves getting calls from Hollywood executives with offers including a big-budget superhero movie, which they declined and instead secured financing for Uncut Gems.

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Goofs

The movie takes place in 2012, but the helicopter that Julia takes to make the bet at Mohegan Sun is a BLADE helicopter; the company wasn't founded until 2014.

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Quotes

Howard Ratner: This is me! This is how *I* win.

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Connections

References Coming to America (1988)

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Soundtracks

L'amour Toujours (Small Mix)
Written by Gigi D'Agostino (as Luigino Di Agostino), Carlo Montagner, Paolo Sandrini and Diego Leoni (as Diego Maria Leonie)
Performed by Gigi D'Agostino
With the kind permission of ZYX Music GmbH & Co. KG.

User Reviews

A FRANTIC MASTERPIECE

A frantic episode in the life of Howard Ratner that let us imagine that there is more. A descent made of excruciating screams and precious gems, of sketched smiles and nerves on the skin. A well directed film, better written and very well acted. Adam Sandler offers us one of his best performances of his career, making many, especially young people, think that this actor has a lot to offer in different contexts. His performance, with the excellent directing by the Safdie Bothers, merges in an unique and original vision of a common plot. Film that you watch in a whisper with the perception that hours that seem minutes and minutes that seem endless. A thriller-dramatic picture with a bit of comedy between the lines. Frantic and unique.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Instagram

Country:

USA

Language:

English Hebrew

Release Date:

25 December 2019 (USA)

Also Known As:

Uncut Gems

Filming Locations:

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$19,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$537,242, 15 December 2019

Gross USA:

$50,023,780

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$50,023,780

Company Credits

Production Co:

A24, Elara Pictures, IAC Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

135 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Atmos

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1