Tropic Sprockets / Uncut Gems

By Ian Brockway

“Uncut Gems” by the director team of Josh and Benny Safdie is a riveting and perfect film taking place in New York’s Diamond District. The story embodies the ‘dog eat dog’ philosophy to a T, but it is also a meditation on desire and envy that packs a punch long after the end credits.

Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler) runs a jewelry store. He is always looking for an edge. Things are not easy for Howard as he is a man of addictions. His day to day existence is one of chaos and confusion. All day, the man is hounded.

Ratner seizes upon the opportunity to obtain an uncut opal, presumably valued at a million dollars. The rock bubbles over with brilliant prisms and color. Howard can’t believe his luck. 

Things are going to change.

His partner Demany (Lakeith Stanfield) brings the NBA star Kevin Garnett as a client who happens to see the sparkling rock and gushes over it, hypnotized by the stone which calls to mind his own cosmic importance—-birth, death, heaven and hell. 

Garnett has to have it.

Howard is adamant; the rock is not for sale. It is far too rare.

Garnett begs him. He has a big game and the rock would give him the confidence and power to win.

Howard reluctantly agrees to let Garnett have the rock for one night during the game, wishing to curry favor with the star given that he is so famous. 

Garnett is made so euphoric by the power of the object that he feels God-like. Howard easily persuades Garnett to give him an NBA championship ring as collateral, which Howard promptly pawns to make a bet for Garnett to win.

Things get anxious very quickly.

Sandler is wonderful in this role which is easily his best to date, and he will be remembered for it. Like Dustin Hoffman’s Ratso Rizzo, Howard Ratner has an eerie yet pathetic charisma. Ratner is a poor schlub full of bad decisions and lies, yet somehow he is not mean spirited and we can only feel pity.

During each event Ratner’s gift of gab only just saves him in the nick of time. His shop is constructed like a broken hall of mirrors in a funhouse and soon enough the options of life are taken away from him little by little.

The film has a quirky “Twilight Zone” edge. The vivid and numinous rock seemingly promises everything but it is reality nothing but trouble. Or is it?

The cinematography by Darius Khondji depicts this treasure exquisitely in dazzling color. The mysterious rock is the cosmos itself, containing both everything and nothing, one and the same.

“Uncut Gems” is rife with claustrophobia and panic. To its credit, the film never quits, it is as visceral and impactful as it is suspenseful.

As we helplessly watch the endless march of meaty gold-ringed hands pound on Howard’s office wall and face, there is only one conclusion to reach: Hell is truly other people and no one gets off easy.

Write Ian at [email protected]

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