When it comes to Akira Kurosawa, I never would have guessed that it would be Spike Lee who was paying respect to the acclaimed filmmaker in the 21st century, but yet here we are. The latest Spike Lee Joint, Highest 2 Lowest, is a modern-day adaptation of High and Low, which itself is a remake of the Ed McBain novel, King’s Ransom.
Clearly, more than a few people were entertained by the storyline as they felt the need to bring it to life on the big screen, so Lee is in good company.
In this version, music mogul David King (Denzel Washington) has won multiple Grammy awards throughout his illustrious life as a producer with the golden ears, but recently his career at Stackin’ Hits Records has seemingly flatlined. Just as a corporate buyout looms large in his professional life, a kidnapping that cuts a little too close to home influences his personal life.
While there’s more to life than just money, King David (as he’s referred to) must make a life-changing decision: After building up his fortune, would — or should — he risk it all in order to free a family friend?
“All money ain’t good money.”
For the most part, Highest 2 Lowest offers a moral dilemma that feels pretty complicated on the surface. On the one hand, David has no qualms with getting bank loans and mortgages, selling properties or doing anything else in order to set his teenage son free from this unknown bandit. But when it’s revealed that the kidnapper actually grabbed the wrong child, who happens to be a family friend with no relation by blood, his feelings about going broke instantly change.
Having worked his way up from the ‘hood to the penthouse, why should David unnecessarily give away his small fortune? Weighing the cons of losing public perception and possibly getting professionally canceled, he somewhat realizes his previous decision was selfish and makes the right choice, but when multiple distractions lead to the ole switcheroo getting pulled onto the police, King David’s motivation to find this mysterious thief finally kicks into high gear.
For the most part, I enjoyed this Spike Lee-Denzel Washington reunion (it’s the first since Inside Man). Familiar faces Nicholas Turturro and Rosie Perez make brief appearances while A$AP Rocky chews up all of his screentime and Ice Spice makes her acting debut. The movie’s story kept me fully invested, although some scenes of dialogue with secondary characters, for the most part, felt like they were used to fill time. Overall, the movie was probably 20 minutes too long, which was padded with a partial music video.
It is a nice movie, but it should’ve been much shorter.
With so many musicians featured in its cast, Highest 2 Lowest is most notable for its soundtrack offerings. By the film’s conclusion, a new artist emerges onto King David’s radar, but its real-life song, “Highest 2 Lowest,” definitely leaves a mark once the credits roll. Written by Aiyana-Lee Anderson and Nicole Daciana Anderson and performed onscreen by Anderson, it’s beautiful. It’s powerful and it basically summarizes David’s emotional journey. It has already received my nomination as Best Song for the Music City Film Critics’ Association Awards this year.
Briefly premiering at movie theaters and definitely underperforming at the box office, Highest 2 Lowest was always going to reach the greatest number of eyeballs through its intended streaming service. Now appearing on Apple TV, decide for yourself if Highest 2 Lowest lives up to Kurosawa’s notoriety throughout the awards season.
“I know what it is to risk everything you have for something that you want.”