Uncut Gems - Trivia, Questions and Fun Facts

[discussimdb]

Fan of Uncut Gems or just want to share your movie knowledge? This topic is dedicated to all trivia and questions related to Uncut Gems

[kenzi]

The Safdie Brothers are diehard New York Knicks fans and actually had Amar'e Stoudemire in mind as the original choice for the film's basketball protagonist. Stoudemire was a member of the Knicks from 2010 - 2015.

[scarlett]

The official poster is a nod to the ending of the film, with a wounded Howard subtly touching the point of the cheek where he will be shot later on.

[manuel]

The house used for the exterior of Howard Ratner's home is the same house used as Freddie Mercury's home in Bohemian Rhapsody (2018).

[tammy]

One of indie production company A24's biggest grossing films.

[terry]

Adam Sandler wore false teeth and a fake dark mole on his right cheek for the role.

[riley]

The film features a rare acting appearance for Mike Francesa, whose filmography includes Undefeated (2003). In a further sports connection, he is considered a pioneer of sports talk radio beginning as the co-host of Mike and the Mad Dog with Christopher "Mad Dog" Russo on WFAN in New York.

[sara]

The film had its world premiere at the 2019 Telluride Film Festival.

[melinda]

The film was originally supposed to take place in the (then) present day, with NBA Star Joel Embiid playing the role of the basketball player obsessed with the black opal. When filming for the movie was moved to the fall - during the NBA season - using an active NBA player became out of the question.

[maureen]

Although the role was not written with him in mind specifically, Kevin Garnett's casting as the NBA player is serendipitous as his surname is a homophone for a gemstone (garnet).

[eli]

Former Celtics coach Doc Rivers recorded a voice-over for the film. His halftime speech revolving around a "roaches" line was based on a real speech he gave his current team the LA Clippers during a playoff game against the Golden State Warriors.

[carl]

The film was inspired by the Safdie Brothers' father's time working as a salesman/runner for a man also named Howard in the Manhattan Diamond District. The Safdie Brothers and their father are also Jewish and avid basketball fans.

[kyle]

Howard tells his son that his neighbor acted in [Good Times](/category/12913/good-times) (1974) and Coming to America (1988). When they knock on the door of the neighbor, it is answered by John Amos, who was indeed the father on [Good Times](/category/12913/good-times) and the father of Eddie Murphy's love interest in Coming to America. Interestingly enough, the Safdie brothers made a film called Good Time (2017), which inspired Adam Sandler to take the role in this film.

[carla]

Viewers may have been confused by the sight of Chinese supervisors at the mine in Ethiopia, but this is actually very realistic. For years, the Chinese have invested in Africa, primarily mining.

[gerald]

This is socialite Julia Fox's first film role. She was approached by the Safdie brothers based on her high profile New York City social life.

[ava]

Daniel Day Lewis praises Adam Sandler's performance in this film.

[veronica]

Adam Sandler's wife convinced him to take on the role after reading the screenplay and watching Good Time (2017).

[kristen]

Kevin Garnett's and The Weeknd's feature film debut.

[clayton]

The character Arno is an Armenian-American who married into Howard's Jewish family. He is named after Arno Babadzhanyan, the great Armenian-Soviet composer.

[michele]

To get an authentic reaction from the actors when Kevin Garnett accidentally breaks the jewel case, the Safdie Brothers had the glass top rigged with a charge to shatter the glass. The brothers did not tell the actors when they would detonate the charge, thereby keeping the element of surprise.