Nice to get a full review from Christman since their Safdie brothers interview wasn't a a deep dive on the plot, necessarily. Their Patreon is / strugglesession . Chapo Trap House, Uncut Gems
In fairness Little Women is a very good adaptation but the "vibe" couldn't be more different than this film. No cosiness to be found here - just pure coke-fuelled self destruction.
Guys this is a weak review all you are saying is the acting and writing are great and every character has clear motivation. You completely missed the class politics and historical exploitation if Jews and Africans that is being explored here. The images of going inside human bodies and inside the gem set a symbolic representation of labor power commodified - the first scenes are literally inside the earth and inside Sandler's belly extracting stones and polyps how much more literal does the metaphor need to be. Everyone in the film has been desubjectified into ciphers of capitalist desire and lost any real relation except through the mediations of bling pesach and hoops which uplift everyone except Sandler who does transcend but with his big hit which is only fantasy as he also gets killed at that very moment. Bling hoops and hitting big replace god as the rationale for existence in desacralized capitalism. The gem is compelling because it has a mystical power - and the film is set during passover and begins bc he is excited he learned about African Jews. There is so much going on about the redemption of history but you're just dwelling on the great editing and characters. Great film and thanks for encouraging me to re watch but damn dig deeper. Arthouse crank is a clever but shallow read; the film is compelling not because of the pacing and editing alone or sharply defined characters but because of the religious numinosity enfusing from the opening that you missed. Yes Jew African solidarity why didnt you follow that thread it is the whole movie.
It’s a pretty standard review. You’re looking for a video essay that 37 people watch, which can certainly be interesting but usually consist of the creator’s narrow perspective. Make it. Make an in-depth video essay from that angle.
nah, i enjoyed the sinister tension brewing in the background contrasted with slapstick violence. great blend of earnestness and goofiness. perfect for the low-brow medium of cinema
