Highest 2 Lowest
review by Bobby Blakey
Throughout his career director Spike Lee has crossed through a variety of genres with each film further cementing his legacy as one of the most brilliant filmmakers of all time. Some of the best he has done were those teamed up with acting icon Denzel Washington including Malcolm X, Mo’ Better Blues, He Got Game, and Inside Man. Now the two powerhouses are reteaming for their latest film Highest 2 Lowest, 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. Could this be another great notch in their filmography or will it fail to hit the right note?
Highest 2 Lowest follows a titan music mogul, widely known as having the “best ears in the business”, who is targeted with a ransom plot getting him jammed up in a life-or-death moral dilemma.
This duo always knocks it out of the park and their latest endeavor is no different, but not without some issues. The film seemingly focuses on a few directions successfully to get the audience not only invested but gives it a sense of realism in how these things play out in real life. Before we get to the tension of the film and its many layers, we are just following the life, family and business struggles of this mogul. It shows the strength and power he wields along with the flaws that crack through to affect it all.
When word comes of the ransom plot it comes out of left field with no build up or tension that makes the audience feel that unexpected sudden jolt that the character is feeling receiving the call. This changes the dynamic of the story of not only the search but also the moral issues surrounding what he must do and sacrifice to do what’s right. Both initial story elements let Denzel shine along with co-star Jeffrey Wright who has his own demons and concerns here. They have great chemistry but seeing it from different places really smacks it home.
Once we make the decision to move forward it becomes a game of cat and mouse as they expand the scope of the ransom drop and visual use of New York itself. It becomes a love letter to the city, the cultures and tensions of the moment as they race through the city to make the drop and make the save. It is visual the best part of the film as it brings New York full into focus and makes it a character along with those inhabiting it in much the same way Caught Stealing recently did so well. Both films have embraced the city with pure love, and it shines through in the stories.
Filled with an engaging story, excellent performances and amazing cinematography, the film is another masterclass in filmmaking but not everything worked for me. There are some scene changes and tonal shifts that pulled me out at times but can’t really explain why. Maybe it was just me, but I felt there was a missing piece at these moments that needed to be there. There are a few moments that felt like it was building to something and then glossed over on some side stories. Maybe it was deflection or just setup to know where things were changing further along in the story, but it needed more for me.
Thankfully this is likely just a me issue and the movie still delivers on almost every level. It is further proof of these two powerhouse artists in the industry that continue to bring amazing work the industry and magic together.
Decide for yourself and check out Highest 2 Lowest from A24 streaming now on Apple TV+.