by Adam Sandler has built his career on goofy comedies filled with crude humor and over-the-top characters. Films like Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, and The Waterboy epitomize the “Sandler formula” – lowbrow jokes, wacky voices, temper tantrums, and outlandish plot lines. For over two decades, this formula worked incredibly well for Sandler, making him one of the most bankable comedic stars in Hollywood.
However, in 2019 Sandler made an unexpected left turn, delivering a raw, intense performance in the anxiety-inducing crime thriller Uncut Gems. Sandler plays Howard Ratner, a fast-talking New York City jeweler and gambling addict who makes one high-stakes bet after another in hopes of hitting it big. It was a radical departure from Sandler’s brand, and to take on such an emotionally complex character, Sandler had to break his own long-held rules.
The Unlikely Choice
First and foremost, Sandler had to break his cardinal rule of only making broad comedies. Since becoming a major film star with hits like The Wedding Singer and Big Daddy, he strategically stayed in his lane, churning out one juvenile comedy after another with his friends at his production company, Happy Madison Productions. He found a winning formula that allowed him to make bank while having fun with his buddies on set.
In a 2017 interview with Variety Sandler stated, “I’m not an Oscar guy. I don’t seek that stuff out. I don’t need anything else to say ‘hey, you’re doing OK in this business.’ I just want to make people laugh.” Sandler enjoyed the freedom of only worrying about being funny and knew his fanbase would always show up for his silly movies. Dramatic acting would mean venturing into unfamiliar territory.
So when his agent initially approached him about Uncut Gems, directed by the Safdie Brothers, Sandler turned it down. “When I read the script I said, ‘Oh this is written by a maniac. I can’t do this,’” Sandler told IndieWire. The frenetic energy and operatic emotions were way outside Sandler’s wheelhouse. Plus, there were no fart jokes to be found in the script. But the offer came back around thanks to the persuasiveness of the Safdie Brothers, who believed deeply that Sandler was the right fit.
During a second meeting with the directors, Sandler started to soften. He found himself drawn to the character of Howard Ratner, seeing parallels to his own manic energy and propensity for risk-taking. His curiosity was piqued, and after further discussions with the Safdies, Sandler finally agreed to sign on. It would be his first true dramatic role.
Committing Fully
After breaking his no drama rule, Sandler then had to commit fully to the lead role in Uncut Gems, despite the discomfort of venturing into unknown territory. For starters, that meant no half-measures – Sandler could not rely on his typical habits and safety nets.
Happy Madison Productions would not be involved with the film. There would be no buddies from Sandler’s inner circle on set, nor any of the hijinks or looseness typical of a Sandler production. Additionally, Sandler agreed to a smaller paycheck than normal, earning only $250,000 upfront for Uncut Gems. But he understood that this unconventional indie crime thriller needed to be made completely on its own terms, without his typical Hollywood influence.
Sandler also committed to the Safdies’ immersive directing style. They are known for making their actors “live” in their roles for the entire shoot. There was no traditional rehearsal period – the Safdies dove right into filming chronologically. They kept the script from Sandler as long as possible so he would feel in the dark like his gambling-addicted character. On set, they played loud music between takes to add to the frenetic energy. It was a shoot designed to keep Sandler fully in the mindset of Howard Ratner.
“There wasn’t a moment he wasn’t completely invested in the character we had created. I never once saw Adam. It was only Howard,” said Safdie in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. Fully embodying the character meant Sandler could not rely on his typical bag of comedic tricks. No silly voices or goofy mannerisms – he had to genuinely inhabit the mind and motivations of Ratner.
Sandler rose to the challenge, delivering a raw, balls-out performance. When the Safdie brothers pushed him to go bigger, louder, and more unhinged, Sandler matched them beat for beat. Critic David Edelstein noted Sandler plays “the most abrasive, unlikable protagonist of his career” while still garnering empathy. And Owen Gleiberman said Sandler’s performance “proves he can act with a vengeance.”
By disregarding his comedic instincts and committing wholeheartedly to genuine character acting, Sandler was able to craft a complex, gripping portrayal that stunned critics.
Shedding His Persona
In addition to breaking rules around genre and preparation, Sandler also defied expectations by shedding traces of the endearing man-child persona he had honed over decades. In many of his classic comedies like Billy Madison and 50 First Dates, underneath the vulgar jokes, Sandler projected a boyish sweetness and innocence. Audiences were always rooting for his characters to grow up and win the day.
But for Uncut Gems, both Sandler and the Safdie Brothers felt that likeability should be stripped away. “We wanted an anti-Sandler performance. Punch the audience in the face over and over again with who he is, don’t give them anything warm and fuzzy,” Safdie told the Los Angeles Times. Sandler could not rely on softness or humility to offset the more abrasive aspects of Howard Ratner. He had to subvert decades of cultivated goodwill.
So Sandler channels pure bravado, aggression, and sleaze as Ratner. Critic Katie Walsh noted the character lacks “any of the little-boy charm which has become a staple of [Sandler’s] screen presence.” Rolling Stone said Ratner is “the sort of character that Sandler would have played for laughs in the past,” but here he is ruthless, self-centered, and at times repulsive. Sandler is unafraid to shed all hints of sweetness to portray Ratner’s all-consuming hunger for money, respect, and the big score.
By ditching traces of the endearing man-child, Sandler creates a portrayal that is a jagged punch to the gut. Ratner barrels through the film like an unstoppable force, with no reprieve through levity or redemption. Sandler’s boldness to portray Ratner as an unapologetic SOB, with barely a glimmer of humanity, was crucial in bringing this unlikable character to visceral life.
The Big Leap Pays Off
Adam Sandler’s daring choices for Uncut Gems – breaking genre rules, committing fully to a dramatic role, and shedding his own likeable persona – represented huge risks for the actor. But Sandler’s courage paid off handsomely, as critics hailed his performance in Uncut Gems as a career-best and something no one saw coming.
As Anthony Lane of The New Yorker stated, “The greatest compliment I can pay to Adam Sandler…is to forget that I was watching Adam Sandler.” Manohla Dargis of The New York Times confirmed Sandler disappears “into the bluster and rage of the character.” Taking the leap into new territory clearly unlocked something fresh and powerful in Sandler.
The acclaim was universal. “Sandler is absolutely magnificent,” declared Peter Travers of Rolling Stone. “It’s an extraordinary performance, one that commanding the screen in a way he never has before,” said Eric Kohn of IndieWire. Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com proclaimed it “one of the best performances of the decade.” A.O. Scott of The New York Times summed up Sandler’s achievement: “His phenomenology of panic is rendered with frightening effectiveness.”
Beyond praise from critics, Sandler’s outstanding work garnered awards recognition. He was nominated for a Film Independent Spirit Award and won Best Actor from the National Board of Review. He also won Breakthrough Performer from the Gotham Awards. These awards marked the first time he was recognized for his acting and not just his comedic skills.
Uncut Gems represented a major turning point in Sandler’s career. As New York Magazine said, “Sandler appears galvanized in a way he’s never been before…and it seems guaranteed to launch the next phase of his career.” No longer would Sandler be pigeonholed as just a funnyman. Now the industry saw he could skillfully tackle offbeat dramatic roles with complexity, nuance and grit.
In conclusion, Adam Sandler made a brave choice when he broke his own rules to star in Uncut Gems. By disregarding his personal hang-ups around genre, preparation, and likeability, Sandler was able to deliver the performance of a lifetime. Audiences were shocked at what Sandler was capable of when pushed far outside his comfort zone. Uncut Gems will likely be seen as the pivotal role that upended Adam Sandler’s career trajectory for the better and forced the world to appreciate his immense talent in a whole new light.
