GRADE: C

THIS FILM IS RECOMMENDED.

IN BRIEF: Fine acting in need of better storytelling.

JIM'S REVIEW: Howard Ratner is a lowlife and gambling addict. He doesn't see himself as a loser, a man in search of the almighty dollar and the next big scam. Nor does he value his family, his mistress, or anyone else. In Uncut Gems, Howard is in over his head as he gambles away his life, even though the odds are always against him. An expensive opal gem becomes his latest obsession, and everyone wants in on the action.

Critics have unexpectedly raved about this indie darling, a crime thriller with an overabundance of atmosphere and colorful characters. But the story is in need of some judicious cutting as the plot is underdeveloped and redundant. Directed by Josh and Benny Safdie, who also co-wrote the meandering and predictable screenplay with Ronald Bronstein, Uncut Gems shows all the wealth, sleaze, and crassness in this world of high finance set in the Jewish Diamond District in Manhattan. The thugs, loan sharks and henchmen populate this business area, although everyone in the film is repugnant or borderline stereotypes, along with the jewelers and their workers.

Adam Sandler plays the debt-ridden Howard, and he gives a very strong performance. (I have previously stated that Mr. Sandler is a far better dramatic actor than a comedy star and I concur with that previous assessment.) The cast is solid, even if the material is not. Fine work is on view by Lakeith Stanfield, Julie Fox, Idina Menzel (looking very witchy and sounding like she's auditioning for a role in The Real Housewives of New Yawk), Eric Bogosian, Judd Hirsch, Keith Williams Richards, and athlete Kevin Garnett as himself.

The filmmakers share a raw and passionate vision, but the plotting is unnecessarily slow-paced and continually overstates the obvious. A few more rewrites could have helped to give the film some gravitas and its characters greater depth. The dialog consists of banal conversations set in a gritty world that are just too improvisatory and self-conscious, with non-stop profanity and very little wit or characters to care about Yes, it all feels quite real, but it also feels quite dull.

Uncut Gems may be worthy of your attention, mostly due to its ensemble, but its true valued worth is questionable. As with the "Four Cs" of gem grading, the film certainly definitely has color and (dramatic) weight, but its clarity and cut are less than satisfactory. According to this reviewer's rating, Uncut Gems earns another C.