Adam Sandler is near perfect as NYC jeweler Howard Ratner, who can’t sit still for a second, always hoping for the big payoffs from one gamble after another, the pot of gold always just over the rainbow, while loan sharks and other unpleasant folks are hot on his tail. Directors Josh and Benny Safdie had me rooting for Ratner, even though I didn’t feel good about doing so; Ratner lies, cheats, is not a great role model for his kids, but there is some humanity and positive stubbornness that pokes through. A fast-paced tale, dark comedy punctuating the drama, that will likely leave you feeling emotionally exhausted, but in a worth it kind of way. Not to everyone’s taste, for sure.
