Uncut Gems
Movie, 2019, The 2010s, Set in The Diamond District
Uncut Gems is #20 of 37 in release order and #20 of 37 in chronological order in the A24.
The story
A charismatic New York City jeweler always on the lookout for the next big score makes a series of high-stakes bets that could lead to the windfall of a lifetime. Howard must perform a precarious high-wire act, balancing business, family, and encroaching adversaries on all sides in his relentless pursuit of the ultimate win.
Uncut Gems recap
Uncut Gems (2019) follows Howard Ratner, a New York jeweler and gambling addict, who bets everything on a rare uncut opal smuggled from Ethiopia. Josh and Benny Safdie direct and co-write with Ronald Bronstein. In 2012, Howard (Adam Sandler) owes $100,000 to his brother-in-law Arno (Eric Bogosian), a loan shark, and splits his life between his wife Dinah (Idina Menzel), who wants a divorce after Passover, and his girlfriend and employee Julia De Fiore (Julia Fox). His associate Demany (LaKeith Stanfield) brings in Boston Celtics star Kevin Garnett, playing himself, who becomes convinced the stone brings him luck on the court and borrows it, leaving his championship ring. Howard pawns the ring to place a bet, Arno cancels it, and Arno's men strip him and lock him in his car trunk outside his daughter's school play. He plans to sell the opal at auction to clear his debts. The film stands alone.
Uncut Gems ending explained
Uncut Gems ends with Howard winning big and being shot dead. The auction backfires when Garnett does not outbid the father-in-law Howard planted to raise the price, and Arno's men beat him. Garnett then buys the opal outright. Howard sends Julia by helicopter to a casino to put all the cash on a parlay riding on Garnett's game, and locks Arno and his enforcer Phil between his store's security doors until it ends. The Celtics win and the bet pays $1.2 million. Howard releases them, and Phil shoots him in the face, then kills Arno. Julia walks away with the winnings.
Post-credits scenes
No. Uncut Gems has no mid- or post-credits scene.
Where to watch Uncut Gems
Uncut Gems isn't on a US streaming service right now. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.4/10, Rotten Tomatoes 91%
Where it fits
- Release order: after The Lighthouse, before Minari.
- Chronological order: after The Lighthouse, before Minari.
Cast
- Adam Sandler as Howard Ratner
- LaKeith Stanfield as Demany
- Julia Fox as Julia De Flore
- Kevin Garnett as Kevin Garnett
- Idina Menzel as Dinah Ratner
- Eric Bogosian as Arno Moradian
- Judd Hirsch as Gooey
- Keith William Richards as Phil
- Mike Francesa as Gary
- Jonathan Aranbayev as Eddie Ratner
- Noa Fisher as Marcel Ratner
- Abel Tesfaye as The Weeknd
Directed by Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie.