Like the title review says - Sandler is just incredible. I can't d-ride this dude enough. I've literally grown up watching his films and I'm still amazed and wildly entertained by every film he's in. I went to a Netflix screening of Hustle in Midtown the other night with the expectation that Uncut Gems was Sandler's peak... while Gems is still my favorite Sandler drama Hustle is only behind Punch Drunk for me.
The film overall is fine but it's Adam that makes the entire movie. You just love him. He's so genuinely himself and such enigmatic and talented dramatic actor - I would say Sandler is as talented of a dramatic actor as he is a comedic perhaps better. He does so much while making it seem like he's doing relatively little which is the hallmark of great acting. Really not acting at all but just telling the truth.
The film and specifically Sandler's performance definitely gave me Blue Chips vibes... that 90's sports flick with an awesome Nick Nolte and all the now legendary ballers of the mid-90's era. I think that was my main issue with the film in terms of it's direction... I just thought it could've been more. I'm guessing a constrained budget produced an equally constrained script. However, Sandler's performance more than made up for any shortcomings that the rest of the film may have had.
Ben Foster was also fantastic in his appearances throughout the film. Foster maybe one of the most underrated actors alive but he shined as a nepotism infused d-bag.
Queen Latifah was an awkward choice to play Sandler's wife. There was just no real chemistry there as a married couple - in fact it was just odd. For example, Sandler's character comes in from being on the road for a really long time and they don't even kiss. She pecks him on the cheek and they hug. I think we all know that Latifah is very much out of the closet which in theory shouldn't impact a performance but watching she and Adam together it was honestly all anyone could critique about the film. Surely there was better choice for that character.
Overall, Hustle + a great q&a with Sandler and surprise moderator Paul Dano did what I didn't think was possible... they made me love Adam Sandler more than I already did. Definitely worth the watch.
The film overall is fine but it's Adam that makes the entire movie. You just love him. He's so genuinely himself and such enigmatic and talented dramatic actor - I would say Sandler is as talented of a dramatic actor as he is a comedic perhaps better. He does so much while making it seem like he's doing relatively little which is the hallmark of great acting. Really not acting at all but just telling the truth.
The film and specifically Sandler's performance definitely gave me Blue Chips vibes... that 90's sports flick with an awesome Nick Nolte and all the now legendary ballers of the mid-90's era. I think that was my main issue with the film in terms of it's direction... I just thought it could've been more. I'm guessing a constrained budget produced an equally constrained script. However, Sandler's performance more than made up for any shortcomings that the rest of the film may have had.
Ben Foster was also fantastic in his appearances throughout the film. Foster maybe one of the most underrated actors alive but he shined as a nepotism infused d-bag.
Queen Latifah was an awkward choice to play Sandler's wife. There was just no real chemistry there as a married couple - in fact it was just odd. For example, Sandler's character comes in from being on the road for a really long time and they don't even kiss. She pecks him on the cheek and they hug. I think we all know that Latifah is very much out of the closet which in theory shouldn't impact a performance but watching she and Adam together it was honestly all anyone could critique about the film. Surely there was better choice for that character.
Overall, Hustle + a great q&a with Sandler and surprise moderator Paul Dano did what I didn't think was possible... they made me love Adam Sandler more than I already did. Definitely worth the watch.