Uncut Gems 2019

The cinematic journey commences with an intimate gaze into the unfathomable depths of a black opal, carefully extracted from the Ethiopian earth by skilled miners. The camera’s piercing lens then shifts its focus to New York City in 2012, where Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler) reigns supreme over his jewelry district storefront. However, beneath the surface of his prosperous business lies a labyrinthine world of debt and addiction, as Howard’s extreme gambling compulsion drives him to make reckless bets and pawn valuable assets to fuel his next move.

As Howard’s fortunes teeter on the brink of collapse, he receives an uncut opal of unparalleled beauty, valued at around one million dollars. This coveted gem is the culmination of months-long negotiations with a small Ethiopian Jewish mining community, and its sale at a prestigious auction house promises to be the key to unlocking his financial woes. With this prize in hand, Howard navigates a delicate dance to avoid Phil (Keith Williams Richards), the enforcer for Arno (Eric Bogosian), who is hot on his heels, seeking recompense for the debts Howard has accumulated.

Meanwhile, Demany (Lakeith Stanfield) brings a bevy of fake watches and business opportunities to Howard’s doorstep, offering a tantalizing share of the profits. It is within this whirlwind of entrepreneurial fervor that Kevin Garnett (Kevin Garnett), the basketball icon, strolls into Howard’s store, his eyes fixed on the opal that has captured the attention of everyone in the room. As Howard hesitantly agrees to part with the gem, he seizes upon KG’s championship ring as collateral, selling it to a pawn shop to fuel an ill-fated bet on the basketball star’s upcoming game. The stakes are set for a high-stakes showdown that will test Howard’s mettle and push his fortunes to the very limits of collapse.

As the façade of Howard’s life begins to crumble, the stark contrast between his two worlds becomes increasingly apparent. In the city, his mistress Julia (Julia Fox) resides in his luxurious apartment, while outside, his wife Dinah (Idina Menzel) and three children live a quintessential suburban existence. Tensions have been building between Howard and Dinah, with her growing exasperated by his frequent absences and lack of involvement in their kids’ lives. In a move that will shake the very foundations of their relationship, Dinah plans to reveal the devastating truth - they’re getting divorced - after Passover.

Meanwhile, Howard’s obsession with winning a bet takes precedence over his responsibilities. He celebrates his victory by indulging in a night out on the town with Julia, further straining his already fragile relationships. When Howard is tasked with delivering an opal to an auction house, he’s confronted with yet another instance of being let down. Demany’s unexpected arrival without the opal, citing Kingpin’s (KG) desire to keep it for their next game, only adds fuel to Howard’s growing frustration.

The consequences of his actions come crashing down on him when he’s forced to take a bus back to the city after being turned away from the locker room. His world is turned upside down as he’s confronted with the reality of his situation - one that’s been brewing for some time. The culmination of these events leads Howard to a surreal encounter at his daughter’s school play, where he crosses paths with Phil. A tense confrontation ensues, culminating in Howard being caught and stripped of his possessions by Arno.

As the situation spirals out of control, Howard finds himself at the mercy of Arno and Phil. In a desperate attempt to regain some semblance of dignity, Howard resorts to calling Dinah, interrupting her at the school play. His pleas for help fall on deaf ears as she’s horrified by his disheveled state. The once-comfortable illusion of Howard’s life has shattered, leaving him exposed and vulnerable in its wake.

As Demany finally delivers the news that he’s acquired the opal, Howard’s anticipation reaches a fever pitch. He requests a face-to-face meeting with Demany at an exclusive showcase featuring The Weeknd (The Weeknd), a rising star whose connection to Julia adds an air of familiarity to the gathering. Despite the trek back into the city, Demany dashes Howard’s hopes, revealing he doesn’t possess the opal after all, leaving him seething with frustration.

Meanwhile, Julia and The Weeknd retreat to the bathroom for a drug-fueled escapade. However, their revelry is short-lived as The Weeknd’s amorous advances are met with Julia’s firm rejection of any physical contact. Howard’s arrival at the scene sends shockwaves, as he brutally assaults The Weeknd, precipitating a chaotic ejection from the club. The ensuing explosion of recriminations sees Julia accuse Howard of sabotaging her business dealings, while he retaliates by leveling allegations of infidelity against her.

As tensions simmer, Howard’s extended family converges at Gooey’s (Judd Hirsch) residence for their annual Passover celebration. The revelation that Arno is actually Dinah’s sister’s husband adds a layer of tension to the gathering, but Howard seizes the opportunity to confide in Gooey and Arno about his acquisition of the opal, hinting at a substantial payday once it sells for a million.

Following his breakup with Julia, Howard seeks solace with Dinah, confessing his regret over the affair and suggesting they reconsider their divorce. However, Dinah’s response is a dismissive laughter, leaving Howard feeling deflated.

Julia retaliates by listing their apartment on Craig’s List, prompting Howard to make an impromptu stop at the property on his way out of town. As he’s about to depart, his son requests permission to use the bathroom upstairs, but Dinah intervenes, insisting that he instead utilize a neighbor’s facilities to avoid any potential encounters with Julia.

Despite her absence, Julia leaves behind a set of keys and a note, which Howard discovers when his son asks him about the mysterious woman residing in the apartment. Howard’s hasty attempt to steer the conversation away from the subject only serves to deepen the disillusionment in his son’s eyes, as he begins to grasp the complexities of their family dynamics.

As KG storms out of Howard’s office, rejecting the paltry sum of $175,000 offered for the opal, it becomes clear that the latter has misjudged the value of the precious gemstone. Howard’s audacity is rewarded when he finally receives the auction house’s appraisal, only to discover that the opal’s worth lies far below the million-dollar mark he had envisioned. With KG having arrived to personally bid on the item, Howard concocts a scheme to manipulate the auction process, enlisting the help of Gooey in an attempt to drive up the price.

The game of cat and mouse between Gooey and KG reaches its climax as the bidding war nears its peak, with Howard fervently urging his accomplice to push the price to $200,000. However, just as victory seems within reach, KG suddenly abandons the auction, leaving Howard reeling from the unexpected twist. With Gooey having effectively lost out on the deal, Howard is left owing him a substantial sum of money, further exacerbating his already dire financial situation.

As Arno bears witness to the unfolding drama, he confronts Howard outside, only for Phil to exact a brutal revenge, leaving the former in a state of physical and emotional devastation. Demany arrives at the scene, incensed that Howard had spurned KG’s initial offer and proceeded to sell off the fake watches he had been given without offering any compensation.

As Julia attempts to lift her friend’s spirits by displaying her new tattoo of his name on her posterior, Howard receives a phone call from KG, indicating a willingness to pay cash for the opal. With Gooey having relinquished his claim to the gemstone, Howard seizes the opportunity to trade his last prized possession – another championship ring – in exchange for the pawned ring that had once belonged to him.

As KG presents the opal payment to Howard, a heated rebuke ensues regarding his exploitation of African miners, their labor rendered mere profit. Howard seizes the opportunity to juxtapose this morally dubious venture with KG’s own business acumen, exemplified by his calculated risk-taking. With heightened excitement, Howard shares the odds for that evening’s high-stakes game and emboldens KG to crush the competition, effectively fueling Howard’s own competitive spirit. In a move orchestrated by Howard’s calculating nature, he discreetly hands Julia a wad of cash – 175,000 minus Demany’s 6,000-dollar cut – and instructs her to purchase a helicopter ticket directly to the casino, all while keeping Arno and Phil in the dark about his true intentions.

As Arno and Phil arrive at Howard’s office, they discover the money has vanished. Their suspicions piqued, they dispatch a henchman to track down Julia at the casino and intensify their interrogation of Howard. Realizing he’s been outmaneuvered, Howard locks them inside the security vestibule using magnetic restraints, assuring them they’re about to experience a life-altering windfall. Phil brandishes his weapon, threatening to force an exit, but Howard reassures him that the glass is bulletproof, rendering any attempts futile.

Phil places a ominous phone call as Julia covertly places Howard’s bet at the casino while evading the henchman. As tensions run high, the game unfolds, and against all odds, Howard’s wager pays off, yielding over a million dollars in winnings. Ecstatic, he shares the news with Julia, promising they’ll live the high life, knowing he can now repay their initial investment.

Arno and Phil are released from the security vestibule, only to immediately turn on Howard, shooting him in the face and ending his life. Horrified by the sudden violence, Arno tries to flee but is also targeted by Phil’s gunfire. Julia emerges from the casino with her winnings, while Dinah decides to call the authorities. As Howard’s life drains away, the camera pans inward, revealing the uncut gem nestled within him, a poignant symbol of the opulence and excess that ultimately proved his undoing.