"Top two Auctions": Capitalist Tale of Wealth
In the world of film, Spike Lee's latest offering, "Highest 2 Lowest," takes viewers on a gripping journey through the streets of New York. This film, a contemporary reimagining of Akira Kurosawa's crime classic "High and Low" (1963), explores the exploitation logic of the culture industry and its media circus.
The story revolves around music producer David King, played with dedication by Denzel Washington. A self-made successful man, David King owns a luxurious Brooklyn penthouse with a view of the Manhattan skyline. However, his peaceful life is disrupted when his close friend Kyle, the son of his chauffeur Paul Christopher (Jeffrey Wright), is kidnapped. The kidnapper demands a ransom of 17.5 million dollars.
The hunt for the kidnapper leads David and Paul, along with detective duo David King and Paul Christopher, to their old 'hood' in the Bronx, where they cross paths with rapper Yung Felony, aka A$AP Rocky. Yung Felony, a big fan of David King and a frustrated artist, finds himself in jail as a rapping celebrity after a shootout and chase ensue during the negotiations for the ransom.
The film presents a black New York beyond clichés with an impressive lineup of stars, including basketball legend Rick Fox in a supporting role. The conflict of societal hierarchies is transposed into a story about the appropriation and commodification of black music culture.
Interestingly, Yung Felony appears in the film as the kidnapper Yung Felon, who fights against David King and Paul Christopher over the ransom for Paul's kidnapped son. David King ultimately pays the ransom, partly because the chauffeur whose son was kidnapped is his close childhood friend. The solution comes when David recognises the voice of the kidnapper on a discarded demo tape.
However, the final ending of the film feels a bit too neat, offering a resolution that might not align with the raw, gritty reality of the situations portrayed throughout. Nonetheless, "Highest 2 Lowest" is a must-watch for fans of Spike Lee and those interested in the exploration of societal issues through the lens of crime dramas. The film is currently available on Apple TV for viewing.
