The 2019 film (titled Diamanti grezzi in Italian) is a high-tension crime thriller directed by Josh and Benny Safdie . It follows Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler), a Jewish-American jeweler in New York's Diamond District, who risks everything on a rare Ethiopian black opal to settle his gambling debts.
: The film is loosely based on the Safdies' father, who worked as a runner in the Manhattan Diamond District for a man actually named Howard. Diamanti grezzi 2019
: The role of the basketball star was originally written with Kobe Bryant in mind, but he was only interested in directing. Joel Embiid was also cast, but had to drop out when filming moved into the actual NBA season. Authentic New York Details The 2019 film (titled Diamanti grezzi in Italian)
: The unique, angular house used for Howard's family home was also used as Freddie Mercury's house in Bohemian Rhapsody . : The role of the basketball star was
: The basketball game Howard bets on—the Celtics vs. 76ers in May 2012—is real. The Safdies chose it because Kevin Garnett had an incredible performance that aligned perfectly with their script. Production Grit
: To ensure realism, the directors used many first-time actors cast right off the street or from the Diamond District. This includes Julia Fox , who made her acting debut as Howard's mistress, and Maksud Agadjani , a real jeweler who played Howard's assistant.
Watch how the Safdie brothers and their cast brought this intense world to life through meticulous research and authentic casting: