“Highest 2 Lowest” is the new crime thriller from Academy Award winning filmmaker Spike Lee. Our JP gives his take on the Denzel Washington-led film.
Highest 2 Lowest
(A24 / Apple Original Films)
- Directed by Spike Lee
- Screenplay by Alan Fox
- Based on High and Low by Akira Kurosawa King’s Ransom by Evan Hunter
- Produced by Todd Black, Jason Michael Berman
- Starring Denzel Washington, Ilfenesh Hadera, Jeffrey Wright, ASAP Rocky
Studio Synopsis:
When a titan music mogul (Denzel Washington), widely known as having the “best ears in the business”, is targeted with a ransom plot, he is jammed up in a life-or-death moral dilemma. Brothers Denzel Washington and Spike Lee reunite
for the 5th in their long working relationship for a reinterpretation of the great filmmaker Akira Kurosawa’s crime thriller High and Low, now played out on the mean streets of modern day New York City.
J.P.’s Take:
Denzel Washington and Spike Lee have become a powerhouse duo in black cinema, once again collaborating to revive a timeless story that examines deep moral and ethical themes.
“Highest 2 Lowest” is a fresh take on Akira Kurosawa’s classic 1963 film “High and Low,” which itself is a loose adaptation of Evan Hunter’s novel, “King’s Ransom,” and published under the pseudonym Ed McBain. This reimagining captures the essence of the original story while infusing it with contemporary elements to fit the current time.
David King (Washington) finds himself grappling with a profound moral quandary: should he pay the ransom for his best friend Paul Christopher’s (Jeffery Wright) son, who has been mistakenly kidnapped in place of David’s own son? This decision is further complicated by the looming threat of financial disaster that could befall his own family and business, as David has painstakingly built from the ground up and enjoying a life of luxury and success. The weight of this choice is immense; if he chooses not to pay, how will he face his loved ones and the community that looks up to him? The internal struggle intensifies as he contemplates the long-term implications of his decision on his conscience. Will he be able to live with himself knowing he could have saved an innocent child, or will the fear of losing everything he has worked for overshadow his sense of duty and friendship?
As the story revolves around the psychological struggles of each character, we’re presented with the burden of truth that King must come to grips with. Both Akira Kurosawa’s film and Spike Lee’s interpretation explore themes of inequality, highlighting the deep emotional turmoil experienced by the family. However, Lee adds a unique perspective by framing the story through a Black lens, which paints a picture of the struggles Black folks face even in positions of success.
Lee also blends a bit of suspense with social commentary, which doesn’t stay completely focused on the complexities of these experiences; it trades much of that scenario for revenge instead. When David King discovers the identity of the person behind his and his friend’s distressing situation, he becomes determined to seek justice by tracking down the individual responsible. That creates an even more dire situation for King when he’s finally face-to-face with the culprit.
The film lasted approximately 2 hours and 13 minutes, characterized by its dramatic intensity, although it also featured some commendable performances:
- Washington seemed like he slept-walked through his role, which isn’t a bad thing. He’s comfortable in his presentation and understands the gravity of his character’s situation.
- Jeffery Wright was humbling in his role of Paul Christopher, King’s right-hand man, with a once-troubled past.
- Ilfenesh Hadera plays Denzel Washington’s wife, Pam King, the doting and concerned mother.
- Aurbey Joseph presents himself as a stand-up young son, Trey King.
- Elijah Wright is Paul’s victimized son, Kyle Christopher, who is also a stand-up youngster
- Rapper-turned-actor A$AP Rocky pulls off the thuggish, yet talented hip-hop hopeful Yung Felon with ease.
- Rounding out the cast is LaChanze as Det. Bell; Michael Potts as Patrick Bethea; Wendell Pierce as Gabe, David King’s business partner; and last but not least, John Douglas Thompson as Det. Earl Bridges. All held up their end in support of the main cast well.
Additionally, appearances by the great Latin Jazz maestro Eddie Palmieri, Rosie Perez, and Anthony Ramos can be seen to our delight, as they play themselves.
We, the viewers, can expect sharp storytelling that will both entertain and spark discussions about values and social issues. While some light comedy did make its way into the mix, it’s far and few between.
Despite some choppy middle section plot choices, the ending of “Highest 2 Lowest” held together enough to lead to a roundabout, sound conclusion.
Official Sites: Highest 2 Lowest (A24 and Apple TV+)
