The way he expresses his disbelief after a series of conversations with Gabe (Wendell Pierce), Alex (Fred Weller), and Patrick (Michael Potts) is legendary. The audience can feel the reality of King from the realistic body language he uses to show the emotions he feels inside, and this takes place after the choice he made regarding the kidnapping. Washington’s performance stands out for the charisma and swag he brought to his role. Jeffrey Wright stars as Paul Christopher, and he is more than a chauffeur to Washington in the film; he’s more like family. He supported the film’s dialogue with rhyme-based wordplay and pun. Christopher’s role is an important one because it has the ability to reveal the character’s sense of entitlement. However, he remained humble and respectful during this tempting period. The coming together of these brilliant actors and the director makes Highest 2 Lowest flawless. 

The Exquisite Touch of Matthew Libatique

Headed by Matthew Libatique, Highest 2 Lowest’s cinematography makes a bold statement from the first frame. The welcoming scene shows King in his penthouse eventually. Libatique takes a long, wide shot slowly from lower buildings up to King’s penthouse, which shows the artistic glass view of Manhattan, and immediately informs the audience of King’s powerful status. This brilliant technique that Libatique uses quickly captivates the attention of the audience because of its uniqueness and the creativity behind it. The way Pam is welcomed into her first scene also stands out due to Libatique’s creative use of cameras. As she walks down the twisted stairway, he captures her from the mirror opposite the stairs, then from the back of the stairs, and finally from her back view before revealing her face. Libatique’s touch in Highest 2 Lowest is true creativity. The camera movement in the scene where Washington accidentally drops a bag on a moving train that falls under a railway proves Libatique’s professionalism. Even though it’s a fast-paced situation, the camera didn’t lose sight of the bag during this falling process–it captured the whole thing. The lighting feels natural and slightly warm, as it clearly highlights scenes that need to be seen brightly. 

Highest 2 Lowest has some of the best soundtracks that support the message of its scenes, all thanks to Howard Drossin for scoring the film. The first song played in the opening part of the film, “What a Beautiful Mornin”, couldn’t be more appropriate. As the song is being played, the camera glides over the beautiful city just when the day is getting started, creating room for unity between the visuals and the music. Another scene that highlights Drossin’s scoring sense is the scene where Christopher and King are driving to the kidnapper’s apartment, definitely not for peace talks. While Washington seems to be in the spirit of boxing as he rhythmically punches against air, James Brown’s “Payback” is being played. Aside from the fact that the song’s title is the same as the purpose of King going to the kidnapper’s, the song also resonates with the mood of Christopher and King in this scene. Drossin made sure that the scenes with soundtracks in Highest 2 Lowest blend with the message of the film.

What the Viewers Should Expect

Highest 2 Lowest is a classical masterpiece that stands out for not just the critical storyline and remarkable actors but for the cinematography and the aesthetically pleasing world it is set in. The film is a mix of drama, thriller, and action with a touch of humor in the dialogue. This makes it a good watch for a variety of audiences. 

Watch Highest 2 Lowest on Apple TV+ Today!