As we approach the end of the year, it’s safe to say that the Safdie Brothers’ “Uncut Gems” is definitely one of the best films, if not the best, of the year. And though it might have seemed unlikely when he was announced to star, Adam Sandler deserves a ton of credit for turning what could have been a mess of a film into one of the most pulse-pounding, suspenseful films in recent memory. I mean, the man makes a high-class auction seem just as intense as the final act of “Avengers: Endgame.”
So, as is normally the case with a lead actor in an incredible movie, Sandler is out there promoting the film and doing a bit of award campaigning. And in a new interview with Howard Stern (via Yahoo), the actor explains that doing things like a recent New York Times profile is out of character for him, but he owes it to the Safdies to try his hardest.
“I did like an asshole,” said Sandler about the profile. “The Safdie Brothers and everybody worked so hard on the movie that I didn’t want to do what I usually do and just go, ‘Eh, I can’t help you out there.’”
So, if you’re wondering why Adam Sandler seems to be doing a lot more promotion for “Uncut Gems” than he does for other movies, it’s due to his respect for the film and the directing duo, as well as the added bonus of maybe getting some Oscar love in 2020.
And during that same interview, he jokes about the possibility of landing a coveted Oscar nomination, and perhaps even taking home a trophy. In that regard, Sandler has a plan for securing the trophy next year for Best Actor. It’s not by campaigning his ass off. Instead, he has threats. Not violent threats, but artistic threats.
“If I don’t get it, I’m going to fucking come back and do one again that is so bad on purpose just to make you all pay,” he joked. “That’s how I get them.”
No offense to Sandler, but considering his recent Netflix output, we shudder to think what he may have up his sleeve if the Academy doesn’t give him an award. So, for all our sakes, can we please agree that it’s his time? He’s well on his way to securing a nomination, at least, as he just was honored with the National Board of Review’s Best Actor award, which is a pretty good predictor of Oscar success.
“Uncut Gems” arrives in select theaters December 16 before opening wide on Christmas.