npr.org
Highest 2 Lowest" Explores Class and Race in Spike Lee's Remake
Spike Lee's "Highest 2 Lowest," a remake of Akira Kurosawa's "High and Low," stars Denzel Washington as a music executive whose son's kidnapping exposes stark class and racial inequalities in modern-day New York City, opening in theaters this week and streaming September 5th on Apple TV+.
- How does the film's setting and the inclusion of the Puerto Rican Day Parade contribute to its narrative and thematic concerns?
- The film explores themes of race, class, and the challenges of maintaining relevance in a changing entertainment industry. The kidnapping plot forces the wealthy protagonist to interact with the city's lower classes, highlighting societal inequalities. The movie uses the ransom plot to critique commercial success in the music industry and the complexities of fame for a Black man.
- What are the central themes explored in Spike Lee's "Highest 2 Lowest," and how do they reflect contemporary social and economic issues?
- Spike Lee's "Highest 2 Lowest" remakes Akira Kurosawa's "High And Low," set in modern-day NYC. Denzel Washington plays a music mogul whose son's kidnapping forces him to confront class and racial disparities. The film opens in theaters this week and streams on Apple TV+ September 5th.
- What are the long-term implications of the film's commentary on the changing dynamics of the music industry, specifically concerning the roles of technology and social media?
- Highest 2 Lowest" uses the ransom plot to showcase the contrast between the opulent lives of the wealthy and the struggles of the working class. The film's setting during Puerto Rican Day highlights the cultural richness of New York City and uses this as a backdrop to explore themes of race, class, and artistic legacy. The use of AI and social media as a backdrop further reinforces the changing landscape of the music industry and the difficulties facing artists.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The review is largely positive, framing the film as a successful and ambitious remake that successfully updates a classic. The language used is overwhelmingly complimentary, highlighting Lee's directorial skill and the performances of the lead actors. However, the reviewer does acknowledge some minor flaws, like the clunkiness of early dialogue.
Language Bias
The language used is largely positive and descriptive, though words like "dazzling," "glorious," and "exuberant" might be considered subjective and not purely neutral. However, the overall tone strives for objectivity by also mentioning the film's "blunt" and "messy" aspects. The reviewer accurately reflects the film's content without significantly shaping the reader's opinion.
Bias by Omission
The review focuses heavily on the film's plot and Lee's directorial choices, but provides limited insight into the critical reception or box office performance of the film. Additionally, there's no mention of the film's budget or production challenges, which could offer additional context. While these omissions might be due to space constraints, they do limit the overall picture presented.
Gender Bias
The review focuses primarily on the male characters and their actions within the film's narrative. While female characters are mentioned, their roles are less emphasized. There is no apparent gender bias in the language used to describe the characters.
Sustainable Development Goals
The movie highlights the stark class differences in New York City, showing how differently the police treat the wealthy and the poor. The kidnapping plot itself forces the wealthy protagonist to confront the realities of life at street level, prompting reflection on social inequality. The vibrant portrayal of the Puerto Rican Day Parade amidst the ransom scene further emphasizes the diverse socioeconomic landscape of the city.