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« Year in Review: Actors with amazing chemistry | Main | What's next for the cast of "Star Wars"? »
Friday
Dec272019

Julia Fox in 'Uncut Gems'

by Murtada Elfadl

A star is born about an hour into Uncut Gems. The lead character, an obnoxious can’t-quit gambler (Adam Sandler) catches his mistress (Julia Fox) in the bathroom of 1 Oak Club in New York with The Weeknd. (Yes the Canadian popstar has a small role as himself.) What follows is a dragged-out funny intense loud lovers fight that starts in the club and spills into West 17th Street as Sandler and Fox scream barbs at each other and continue to fight to the bemusement of onlookers. She begs him to understand “Nothing happened, we were just doing coke.” He throws the ultimate final insult to end the fight “Go fuck The Weeknd.” Or so he thinks. That’s when Fox throws her whole body against the hood of the cab he’s trying to escape in, determined to continue the fight. That’s when we knew it; here’s an actress who will have a long career...

In Uncut Gems, Fox is funny, sexy, magnetic and memorable. She gives this jewelry shop assistant who’s dating a much older married man, a sweet nature. She plays the part with honesty, warmth, and ardor. Sandler’s Howard is not a lovable man, in fact his wife played by Idina Menzel calls him stupid and threatens to punch him. We get why. But everytime Fox is in a scene with him, we question ourselves. Is he not as annoying as he seems? Is he not putting the lives of everyone he knows in jeopardy? Could we root for him? And we do because Fox does. The way she looks at him makes the audience think 'well maybe he’s not that bad.' That’s the power of her performance.

Surprisingly this grounded well-honed performance is her first ever on screen. Josh and Benny Safdie, who directed the film, met her in a SoHo cafe and re-conceived the part after casting to be more like the real Fox. In a recent interview Fox told the NY Times that her first acting job was as a dominatrix in an East Village dungeon. 

It was fantasy role play. I’d have one minute before a session. They’d give you a piece of paper with the guy’s info. ‘O.K., he wants me to be like his angry mother. Got it. Boom.’ And, you’ve got two seconds to get in that mind-set.

It seems that was all the training she needed. Now after this performance she’s ready for stardom.

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Reader Comments (19)

Thank you!! I saw the film last night and she walked away with it, in my opinion. What a performance

December 27, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterRoger

Wouldn’t it be wild if Fox turns out to be this year’s Marina de Tavira?

December 27, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterMJ

She is serving some real Sharon Stone in Casino charisma here...

December 28, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterKaren Silkwood

She was absolutely sensational in the movie!

December 28, 2019 | Unregistered Commentersati

doesn't she look like Debi Mazar specially in the top pic?

December 28, 2019 | Registered CommenterMurtada Elfadl

She looks like a mix of Debi Mazar and Rachel Weisz in that top pic.

December 28, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterCash

I mean, to be specific, it's spelled The Weeknd.

December 28, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterVolvagia

Murtada do you know why she's received no traction or campaigning.

December 28, 2019 | Unregistered Commentermarkgordonuk

I hate the trailer and will avoid this movie

December 28, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterJaragon

Mark - She was nominated at the Gothams. The chatter has been primarily about Sandler and the Safdies for direction so her buzz is quieter plus the film is v abrasive and not everyone will like it. I think she'll get no awards but plenty of future roles.

Cash - yes i see that!

December 28, 2019 | Registered CommenterMurtada Elfadl

What a fabulous backstory! I knew the Safdies hire a lot of first timers but I didn't figure Julia Fox was one of them. She has the poise and charisma of an old pro. Reminded me of Marisa Tomei.

December 28, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterW.J.

BIG Debi Mazar energy! I hope I get to see the film soon.

December 28, 2019 | Unregistered Commenterthefilmjunkie

Idina Menzel was the one who stole the show for me

December 28, 2019 | Unregistered Commenterken s.

She's excellent in it, but I don't think the character is much on the page. Contrary to you, I found her unshakable affection for Howard rather implausible, or at least reflective of her own vacuity rather than any innate goodness.

December 28, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterJonathan

ken - agreed Idina was fabulous as well.

December 28, 2019 | Registered CommenterMurtada Elfadl

Loved Sandler in this but yes, it was the women (Julia + Idina) who were my biggest takeaways even in somewhat underwritten roles. Perfect comic timing from both. Was so impressed with how Julia elevated a part that could’ve been clichéd. A real find.

December 28, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterLibby

I'm sad I didn't walk away from this movie gushing about Julia Fox because I was really disappointed in the treatment of her character. I get that Julia is merely an object in Howard's world, but she had enough screen time that maybe she could've worked alongside Howard with his schemes or expressed what it was like for her to be a mistress. I think that's why I connected with Idina's performance more because it exists outside of a male lens. Every time Julia was on-screen, I felt like I was watching her through the eyes of Howard.

December 29, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterKyndall C

she's fantastic in this brilliant film! i'd rather her in the running than margot, florence, or scarlett.

December 30, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterPHIL

Saw UNCUT GEMS on Friday and haven't stopped thinking about her - she should easily be a Supporting Actress nominee (and is far more compelling than the front-runners).

December 30, 2019 | Unregistered CommenterAndrew Carden
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