Plot
Howard Rattner is a Jewish jewelry shop owner, and gambling addict with outstanding debts all over the place. His latest get rich quick scheme is buying an uncut opal – in hopes it will sell big at auction. but when basketball player Kevin Garnett believes it is a good luck charm; Howard sees it as an opportunity to try to score an even bigger payday – by betting on Garnett to win for him.
Direction
I quite liked the direction by brothers Josh and Benny Safdie – with some of the erratic moments that occur throughout the film, it doesn’t have that feel in watching.
Cast/Characters
Adam Sandler plays Howard, and gives quite possibly the performance of his career. Sandler has proven himself worthy in dramatic roles (Hustle etc) and does so here. He is far from an anti hero, and is almost a character not worthy of sympathy – but we root for him anyway – especially in the third act.
Julia Fox plays Howard’s love interest/mistress Julia who adores him, and Idina Menzel plays his long suffering wife Dinah. Both do a great job, with the former getting a little more to do. I would have loved to see more of Menzel, and thought she was brilliant in her performance.
LaKeith Stansfield is Howard’s business partner Demany. Like Menzel he feels a little underused, especially given his work as a leading man in films like Sorry to Bother You.
Kevin Garnett of course plays a fictionalised version of himself, as does The Weeknd albeit briefly.
The legendary Judd Hirsch and Eric Bogosian play members of Howard’s family – who are also involved in his world of gambling, and debt collections.
Screenplay/Setting/Themes
Adult concepts and themes are prevalent – with Howard being quite a dishonest individual. He constantly lies to those around him, and cheats on his wife.
Culture/Race are also significant, with quite a few characters who are black – and talk to each other in quite graphic language to each other. The film also lands in the top 5 films with the most use of the ‘f’ word, so this is not for kids.
Sport is a very prominent theme too, as one of the main actors is an NBA player. Many of the moments within the film involve him playing the game, and of course the betting on the game.
There is a moment near the end that is quite violent too, and comes out of nowhere.
Music is a minor theme, with musician The Weeknd appearing as himself, and some of his music does play. The score that plays under the film is solid, and really amps up in the third act as Howard’s actions start to catch up to him.
Overall
I finally watched this film this year, and understand the hype Sandler got back at the time of its release. He gives a brilliant performance.
Those around him are brilliant too, like Fox (in her feature debut), Menzel and non actor Garnett.
A strong recommend.
4/5
If you’re able to, please “buy me a coffee”
Ryan's Movie Reviews 