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Spike Lee: "Highest 2 Lowest"

 At the end of "Courage Under Fire," Denzel Washington returns home to his family. He is walking through the yard, and he spots an overturned bike; one of his children has been careless. Washington stops and sets the bike on its wheels. 


This wasn't scripted. But it became a "comment" on the movie itself--a story about setting things right. The "bike" moment became a highlight.

Something similar happens in "Highest 2 Lowest." Washington's son--disgusted by Washington's financial obsessions--refers to Washington as "ice. Cold ice. Heartless." Understanding that his son is correct, Washington decides he cannot engage. Instead, he directs his feelings toward a doorknob. "Gotta fix this damn thing." And the scene ends.

It's such a treat to catalog Washington's tiniest choices. The "megawatt" smile--which is a rare sight. The way he softens his voice in moments of high intensity. His full-bodied revulsion in the presence of an angry dog. I missed the First Act of this film--and I understand it's sort of bland--but it's hard for me to imagine that there are moments when Washington is less than "fun to watch."

"Highest 2 Lowest" is ostensibly about a war between Washington and a young antihero--but the antihero is sort of cartoonish. What makes the movie gripping is the war between Washington and himself. Washington is routinely tempted to surrender his values and play a capitalist game: "Go for the money and the attention. That's what matters." But a big part of Washington would like to be a feeling, caring human being.

I'm pleased to have missed Act One, because everything I saw--from the "entr'acte" onward--was weird and interesting. It's a good idea to see this movie.
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