Film 'Highest 2 Lowest,' directed by Spike Lee, demonstrates a fluctuation in its tonal spectrum, not consistently achieving an effective balance.
In Spike Lee's latest film, "Highest 2 Lowest," the renowned director delves into the complexities of class conflict within a Black nuclear family in contemporary New York City. The movie, set for wide release on Aug. 15 and available on AppleTV+ on Sept. 5, explores themes of legacy, wealth disparities, social media celebrity toxicity, and artistic integrity, drawing parallels to the caste system but grounded firmly in African-American experience today.
The film's narrative is intertwined with cultural identity and the impact of systemic oppression, highlighting how characters must navigate and reckon with their own connections to the underground world of NYC. Denzel Washington, in his fifth collaboration with Lee, plays David King, a wealthy music mogul whose son, Trey, is kidnapped by unknown assailants. The kidnappers demand a ransom of $17.5 million. Jeffrey Wright plays Paul, King's longtime confidant and driver, whose child, Kyle, is mistakenly taken instead of Trey.
Spike Lee employs a visually rich and stylistically varied filmmaking approach. Raw, grainy handheld shots evoke a vintage 90s analog feel, giving parts of the movie a gritty, documentary-like intimacy. Vibrant New York City settings, captured by cinematographer Matthew Libatique, use intricate, expressive framing to treat the city itself almost like a character, reflecting its diverse classes and cultures.
Dynamic sequences featuring Puerto Rican street parades, skyscraper shots, subway scenes, bodega battles, freestyle rap battles, high-speed chases, and gunfire duels infuse the narrative with urban energy and authentic cultural moments. Dialogue and character interactions sometimes feel like rhythmically crafted songs or raps, a signature of Spike Lee’s style that blends music and storytelling fluidly. The film’s soundtrack prominently features classic James Brown tracks and new music from A$AP Rocky, adding a soulful, contemporary musical layer that enhances the thematic depth.
Comparatively, Akira Kurosawa’s original High and Low—a 20th century Yokohama-based drama that centered on a kidnapping exposing Japan's class divisions within its caste structure—Highest 2 Lowest transposes the core class-conflict themes into a distinctly modern, urban African-American context in New York. Where Kurosawa’s work is marked by meticulous, restrained framing and subtle social critique, Lee’s adaptation is more viscerally vibrant, direct, and musically charged, with a stronger emphasis on cultural identity, systemic racism, and present-day urban life.
In addition to Washington and Wright, the film boasts a talented cast including ASAP Rocky as an aspiring rapper named Yung Felon, Elijah Wright as Kyle, and a scene featuring the Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra. "Highest 2 Lowest" has a running time of 2 hours, 13 minutes and is rated R for language throughout and brief drug use.
Katie Walsh, a Tribune News Service film critic, has praised the film, calling it a "powerful exploration of class conflict and cultural identity in contemporary New York City." With its dynamic visuals, engaging narrative, and thought-provoking themes, "Highest 2 Lowest" promises to be a compelling addition to Spike Lee's impressive filmography.
[1] Highest 2 Lowest Official Trailer (2023) Denzel Washington, Spike Lee Movie HD [4] Spike Lee's Highest 2 Lowest: A Modern Take on Class Conflict and Cultural Identity [5] Spike Lee's Highest 2 Lowest: A Gritty, Vibrant, and Musically Charged Adaptation of Akira Kurosawa's High and Low
- Spike Lee's movie, "Highest 2 Lowest," delves into the complexities of class conflict within a Black family in contemporary New York City, exploring themes like legacy, wealth disparities, and artistic integrity.
- The film's soundtrack features classic James Brown tracks and new music from A$AP Rocky, adding a soulful, contemporary musical layer to enhance the thematic depth.
- Katie Walsh, a film critic, has praised "Highest 2 Lowest," calling it a powerful exploration of class conflict and cultural identity in contemporary New York City.
- Akira Kurosawa’s original High and Low is transposed into a distinctly modern, urban African-American context in New York in Spike Lee’s adaptation, "Highest 2 Lowest."
- Denzel Washington, Elijah Wright, ASAP Rocky, and Jeffrey Wright are among the talented cast members featured in Spike Lee's gritty, vibrant, and musically charged adaptation, "Highest 2 Lowest."
