Spike Lee reimagines Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 film “High and Low” in his new movie “Highest 2 Lowest”, starring Denzel Washington as a wealthy music mogul. The story follows King, who receives a ransom demand for his son’s friend, not his own son, which sets him on a high-stakes rescue mission.
Lee drew inspiration from the original film, using it as a reinterpretation of the jazz standard concept, much like musicians do with classic songs. He believes that by reimagining the film in this way, he can convey a deeper message about social class and inequality.
The film features several key scenes, including an outdoor concert scene performed by Eddie Palmieri, which pays homage to the original “High and Low”. Lee used this opportunity to showcase his cinematographer Matthew Libatique’s skills and to honor Palmieri’s contribution to the Puerto Rican community.
In terms of character development, Lee made a deliberate choice to give Paul Christopher’s (Jeffrey Wright) character dignity, moving away from Kurosawa’s original portrayal of the chauffeur as a crying mess. This decision allowed for a more nuanced exploration of the complexities of social class and the moral dilemmas that come with it.
Lee also highlighted the theme of young men seeking a father figure, which is at the heart of both his film and Kurosawa’s original work. He believes that this message is just as relevant today as it was in 1963.
Working with Denzel Washington, Lee has learned from him not only as an actor but also as a director, citing him as one of the greatest actors of our time. The collaboration between Lee and Washington on “Highest 2 Lowest” marks their fifth film together, and Lee believes that working with such a talented performer raises the bar for everyone involved in the production.
Source: https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2025/08/13/spike-lee-highest-2-lowest