What would you do to save your own child? What about the child of someone you deeply care for?
Those impossible questions confront music mogul David King in Highest 2 Lowest, the gripping new crime thriller from Academy Award-winning filmmaker Spike Lee. This marks the prolific director’s 24th narrative feature and his first in more than a decade to be set and filmed in New York City.
A thoroughly modern reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic High and Low, the film stars Oscar-winner Denzel Washington as David King, a towering figure in the music industry. For over two decades, his label, Stackin’ Hits Records, has produced chart-topping artists, but now King faces a crossroads: a proposed merger threatens to alter the company’s direction and erase his legacy.
I had a chance to see an advance screening and if you plan on seeing the film, you might not want to click in but if you don’t care, by all means check out what I thought of the film inside…
The casting was spot-on. Of course, Denzel delivered a powerhouse performance, no surprise there! Jeffrey Wright was another standout. At first, I pegged him as the villain, but his character took a surprising turn. Even more interesting, his on-screen son was played by his real-life son, Elijah Wright, making his film debut. Their authentic father-son bond was heartfelt and refreshing to see on screen.
The movie’s gritty New York atmosphere was a character in itself, with much of the action unfolding in DUMBO, an area rich in culture and art, which the film beautifully showcases. The set design was incredible, and David King’s penthouse was a visual treat, filled with stunning Black artwork that truly popped.
One surprise casting choice was A$AP Rocky, who nailed his role as an obsessive rapper desperate for a record deal, willing to go to dangerous extremes. The script also touches on timely topics like the growing influence of AI, the clash between old-school and new-school music industry methods, and how social media followers now play a big role in success.
Spike Lee also packed the film with familiar faces from his past works, including Rosie Perez and Anthony Ramos (She’s Gotta Have It), plus a slew of fun cameos. True to Spike’s style, there were plenty of twists and even some quirky, unexpected moments but overall, Highest 2 Lowest is a sharp, compelling ride. I give it a 8/10.
When a legendary music mogul, known for having “the best ears in the business,” is targeted in a ransom scheme, he’s forced into a tense life-or-death moral dilemma. This marks the fifth collaboration between Denzel Washington and Spike Lee, bringing Kurosawa’s timeless story into the raw, modern streets of New York City.
The post Music, Morals, and New York Grit: Highest 2 Lowest Review appeared first on Talking With Tami.
from Talking With Tami https://ift.tt/hCHWUkR
0 Comments