#1101: SAFDIE, Josh and Benny: Uncut Gems (2019)

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SAFDIE, Josh and Benny (United States)
Uncut Gems [2019]
Spine #1101
Blu-ray


This jolt of pure cinematic adrenaline affirmed directors Josh and Benny Safdie as heirs to the gritty, heightened realism of Martin Scorsese and John Cassavetes. Adam Sandler delivers an almost maniacally embodied performance as Howard Ratner, a fast-talking New York jeweler in relentless pursuit of the next big score. When he comes into possession of a rare opal, it seems Howard’s ship has finally come in — as long as he can stay one step ahead of a wife (Idina Menzel) who hates him, a mistress (Julia Fox) who can’t quit him, and a frenzy of loan sharks and hit men closing in on him. Wrapping a vivid look at the old-school Jewish world of Manhattan’s Diamond District within a kinetic thriller, Uncut Gems gives us one of the great characters in modern cinema: a tragic hero of competing compulsions on a shoot-the-moon quest to transcend his destiny.

135 minutes
Color
Dolby Atmos
2:39:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2021
Directors/Writers



Josh was 35 and Benny was 33 when they directed Uncut Gems.

Other Safdie Brothers films in the Collection:

#1138: Daddy Longlegs (2009)

The Film

A

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Forty-eight page booklet featuring an essay by film critic J. Hoberman and a 2020 discussion of the film by the editorial staff of Jewish Currents magazine.

Commentary

From 2019 featuring the Safdies, writer and editor Bronstein, and producer Sebastian Bear-McClard.

Interviews

With DP Darius Khondji, costume designer Miyako Bellizzi, production designer Sam Lisenco, and casting director Jennifer Venditti.

Documentaries

From 2019 and 2020 on the making of the film and soundtrack.

Screen test

Featuring actors Sandler and Fox.

Short film 1

From 2020 by the Safdies: Goldman v Silverman, featuring Sandler and Benny.

Short film 2

From 2020: Question & Answer featuring the Safdies, Sandler, actor Jason Bateman, and comedy writer Megan Amram.

Audition tapes
Deleted and extended scenes

Including a full performance of “The Morning” by The Weekend.

Trailers

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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