Director: Spike Lee
Writer: Evan Hunter, Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni
Stars: Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright, A$AP Rocky
Synopsis: When a prominent music mogul finds himself embroiled in a ransom scheme, he grapples with a life-altering moral dilemma.
Spike Lee’s Brooklyn Odyssey: A Review of *Highest to Lowest*
Few filmmakers capture the pulse of Brooklyn quite like Spike Lee. From his underappreciated debut, *Joe’s Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads*, to his iconic magnum opus, *Do the Right Thing*, Lee weaves an authentic tapestry of life in New York. Though born in Atlanta, Georgia, he has made Brooklyn his canvas, infusing each film with a vibrant love for the city. His lens unearths the complexities of urban life, showcasing its inhabitants with a specificity that brings them to life.
With *Highest to Lowest*, screening out of competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Lee embarks on another artistic journey to celebrate Brooklyn and its storied neighborhoods. Drawing inspiration from Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic *High and Low*, Lee deftly navigates a narrative akin to his own sensibilities while exploring the modern contours of music and friendship. After facing the backlash from his 2013 remake of *Oldboy*, Lee pivots away from direct imitation; instead, he seeks to create something fresh and unapologetically his own.
A Musical Journey Begins
The film opens with the soulful strains of Ray Charles’ rendition of “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’,” accompanied by breathtaking drone shots of the New York skyline. These initial visuals encapsulate the frenetic beauty of the city. We’re introduced to David King, played by the incomparable Denzel Washington, a music executive with a storied past. Once the king of his domain, King now faces a moral quagmire that could redefine his legacy.
Success Comes at a Price
In the world of glitz and glamour, King pays a heavy toll: the erosion of his family ties and the crumbling of his once-thriving label, Stackin’ Hits. Decades of hard work have led him to this crossroads, where he must sell his past to survive in an industry that has become increasingly digital, leaving traditional labels in a precarious state.
As streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music dominate, the film explores the **painful transition** from physical media to the intangible realm of digital downloads—an evolution anyone intimately involved in the music industry can understand. Lee, having experienced this firsthand, dedicates a segment of *Highest to Lowest* to this conversation, offering insight into the declining relevance of record labels and the struggle for artistic integrity.
High Stakes, Low Choices
One fateful day, David receives a shocking call from a rapper named Yung Felon (A$AP Rocky), who mistakenly believes he has kidnapped King’s son. The real twist? The kidnapper has the son of King’s driver and friend, Paul (Jeffrey Wright). This premise spirals into a high-tension scenario reminiscent of *High and Low*, stretching both men’s values to their limits as they navigate the dangerous waters of loyalty, sacrifice, and survival.
While Kurosawa adeptly tackled themes of class disparity, Lee’s vision centers around **entrepreneurship and resilience**, adding modern societal issues like cancel culture and public scrutiny into the mix. However, the film lacks the depth that might have lent these themes more gravity, leaving viewers wanting more exploration than the surface-level references provided.
Visual Style and Energy
In the first half of the film, there are moments where Spike Lee’s signature style feels muted. Though his energetic touch is evident, it lacks the groundbreaking spirit of his earlier works, such as the innovative dolly shots that captivated audiences in *Do the Right Thing*. The momentum picks up as King transitions from the isolation of his penthouse to the lively streets of New York, offering some of the most exhilarating sequences in the film.
A Love Letter to New York
*Highest to Lowest* is a cinematic rollercoaster—uneven yet electrifying. It oscillates between moments of brilliance and frustration, highlighting both the highs and lows of Lee’s artistic journey. Despite its flaws, it serves as a compelling reminder of Spike Lee’s prowess in storytelling—celebrating New York, the music that shaped it, and the formidable bond between Lee and Washington. With Denzel receiving the honorary Palme d’Or at the film’s premiere, the film underscores that it’s not just about Lee’s legacy; it’s also about the city itself and the enduring power of **authentic collaboration**.
Final Thoughts
*Highest to Lowest* stumbles but ultimately soars. It invites viewers to reflect on the intricate tapestry of music, friendship, and survival in New York City. While it may not break new ground, its passion for storytelling and the dynamics of collaboration ring powerfully true.
