Country: USA
Year: 2019
Duration: 135'
Howard Ratner is a New York jeweler in the Diamond District who is addicted to gambling. Deep in debt to his brother-in-law Arno, who has ties to the underworld, on the verge of divorcing his wife Dinah, and in a crisis with his mistress Julia, Howard pins all his hopes on the sale of a rare Ethiopian black opal, which he intends to sell at auction. When Boston Celtics basketball player Kevin Garnett visits the jewelry store and is captivated by the stone—convinced it will bring him luck in the NBA Conference Finals—he asks Howard to lend it to him, in exchange for his NBA championship ring. As if nothing were wrong, Howard immediately pawns the ring, and not even Boston’s victory can get him out of trouble, while his life gradually falls apart…
Biography
film director
Benny Safdie
(USA, 1986), he formed a long-standing and fruitful artistic partnership with his brother Josh, culminating in their participation in the Cannes competition with Good Time (2017), in which he also appeared as an actor (though he did not share directing credit, despite his involvement in the film’s creation), and Uncut Gems (2019). Following the end of his collaboration with his brother, he directed The Smashing Machine (2025), presented in competition at the Venice Film Festival. As an actor, he has worked with directors including Paul Thomas Anderson, Christopher Nolan, Kornél Mundruczó and Claire Denis.
FILMOGRAFIA
Alberto Lives in a Bathroom (coregia Josh Safdie, cm, 2004), The Adventures of Slaters's Friend (coregia Josh Safdie, cm 2005), If You See Something, Say Something (coregia Josh Safdie, cm, 2006), The Back of Her Head (coregia Josh Safdie, cm, 2007), The Story of Charles Riverbank (cm, 2008), The Acquaintances of a Lonely John (cm, 2008), Uncut Gems (coregia Josh Safdie, Diamanti grezzi, 2019), The Smashing Machine (id., 2025).
Josh Safdie
(USA), raised in New York, between Queens and Manhattan, a director, screenwriter, producer and editor, he has developed a distinctive style with his brother Benny, marked by raw energy and emotional urgency. His acclaimed films include Daddy Longlegs (2009), Heaven Knows What (2015), Good Time (2017) and Uncut Gems (2019), which earned him a directing award from the New York Film Critics Circle. In 2025, he directed, co-wrote and edited Marty Supreme, starring Timothée Chalamet, which received nine Academy Award nominations and won a Golden Globe. In 2026, he directed a Nike commercial celebrating the New York Knicks and released his first fine art print, acquired by the Whitney Museum.
FILMOGRAFIA
Lethargy (cm, 2002), Alberto Lives in a Bathroom (cm, 2004), The Adventures of Slaters's Friend (cm, 2005), I Think I'm Missing Parts (cm, 2006), We're Going to the Zoo (cm, 2006), If You See Something, Say Something (cm, 2006), The Back of Her Head (cm, 2007), The Pleasure of Being Robbed (coregia Benny Safdie, 2008), The Story of Charles Riverbank (cm, 2008, solo Benny), Daddy Longlegs (coregia Benny Safdie, 2009), John's Gone (coregia Benny Safdie, cm, 2010), The Black Balloon (coregia Benny Safdie, cm, 2012), The Trophy Hunter (coregia Benny Safdie, cm, 2012), Heaven Knows What (2014), Good Time (2017), Uncut Gems (Diamanti grezzi, coregia Benny Safdie, 2019), Marty Supreme (id., 2025).
Cast
& Credits
DIRECTOR: Josh Safdie, Benny Safdie. SCREENPLAY: Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie, Benny Safdie. CINEMATOGRAPHY: Darius Khondji. EDITING: Ronald Bronstein, Benny Safdie. PRODUCTION DESIGN: Sam Lisenco. COSTUMES: Miyako Bellizzi, Nawaal Hendricks. MUSIC: Oneohtrix Point Never. CAST: Adam Sandler, Lakeith Stanfield, Julia Fox, Kevin Garnett, Idina Menzel, Eric Bogosian, Judd Hirsch, Keith Williams Richards, Mike Francesa, Jonathan Aranbayev, Noa Fisher, The Weeknd, Greg Yuna. PRODUCERS: Scott Rudin, Eli Bush, Sebastian Bear-McClard for A24, Elara Pictures, IAC Films, Sikelia Productions, Scott Rudin Productions. CONTACT: Netflix - www.netflix.com
