Don’t Be So Political is a monthly film series that engages with films through a political lens. Each screening is preceded by an expert Q&A. Hosted by Zach Wortzman
“You wanna win by one point or you wanna win by thirty points?”
Jewelry dealer Howard Ratner frenzies through New York City, chasing big scores, outpacing and colliding with every danger in his all consuming quest to hit big.
If you’re looking for a nice relaxing night out at the movies, this ain’t it. Uncut Gems is cinematic Mach 3, a tsunami of the visceral; it puts Sandler’s Howard Ratner through lifetimes worth of crises. Sandler’s Oscar-worthy performance is met on the level by a star-studded cast filled with cameos. Following in the footsteps of Cage in Leaving Las Vegas and Finney in Under the Volcano, Sandler’s portrayal of Howard Ratner ranks among the most self-destructive characters put to film. The Safdie Brothers’ direction holds the sprawling chaos together, shooting on location in 35mm.
Sweeping the Gotham and Independent Spirit Awards, and even earning Sandler a nomination for the Razzie’s coveted Redeemer Award, Uncut Gems became an instant indie classic after playing at TIFF in 2019. Releasing in the lead up to the legalization of single game sports betting in Ontario, the film offers a hyperbolic case of gambling’s pitfalls and an endoscopic examination of the relentless calamity of chasing loses.
