By Susan Granger
Spike Lee’s newest crime thriller “Highest 2 Lowest,” a re-imagining of Japanese director Akira Kurosawa’s classic “High to Low” (1963), is disappointing – in so many ways.
Originally based on the novel “King’s Ransom” (1959) by Evan Hunter, using the pseudonym Ed McBain, it revolves around a Black Establishment music mogul known as having the “best ears in the business” who is targeted with a ransom plot.
David King (Denzel Washington) is contemplating a risky venture for his Stackin’ Hits Records when his teenage son disappears and a mysterious phone caller demands $17.5 million for his return. Soon, it becomes clear that, while his son is safe, the son of his chauffeur/confidant (Jeffrey Wright) was abducted instead.
So there’s a crisis-of-conscience: Will egotistical, highly respected King still pay $17.5 million in Swiss Franc notes for his employee’s son’s return? And who’s ultimately responsible for the kidnapping – and why?
Adapted by Alan Fox, the police procedural script lacks rhythm while the supporting characters lack depth and complexity, particularly King’s wife Pamela (Ilfenesh Hadera).
Worse yet, when King finally confronts the crime’s brazen mastermind, Young Felon (rapper ASAP Rocky – a.k.a. Rakim Mayers), their profanity-laden, pseudo-Shakespearian rap dialogue becomes tiresomely repetitive – talk about tone deaf!
Which leads to Howard Drossin’s blandly melodramatic musical score. Rather than complementing the action, it often clashes with what’s happening on-screen, diffusing the tension that director Spike Lee has tried to construct.
On the other hand, King’s opulent penthouse on Brooklyn’s waterfront, photographed by Matthew Libatique, qualifies as sumptuous ‘real estate porn’! And the highly effective train-chase scene is set during New York’s Puerto Rican Day Parade, featuring the late Eddie Palmieri leading his Salsa Orchestra.
FYI: This is the fifth collaboration between Spike Lee and Denzel Washington, following “Mo’ Better Blues,” “Malcolm X,” “He Got Game” and “Inside Man.” And if you noticed a resemblance between Jeffrey Wright and his son Elijah – it’s because Jeffrey is his real-life father.
On the Granger Gauge of 1 to 10, “Highest 2 Lowest” is a slow-paced, fading 5, streaming on Apple+.
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Susan Granger
Westport resident Susan Granger grew up in Hollywood, studied journalism with Pierre Salinger at Mills College and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with highest honors in Journalism. In addition to writing for newspapers and magazines, she has appeared on radio and television as an anchorwoman and movie critic for many years. Read all her reviews at susangranger.com.
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