Spike Lee's Jungle Fever

My favorite director after Martin Scorcese, I revisit Spike Lee films whenever I get the chance. Do The Right Thing is my favorite film of his, and I see Do The Right Thing as often as I can. Then there's Summer of Sam, another one of my absolute favorite of his films.

And then we come to Jungle Fever. Jungle Fever deals with the taboo relationships between different races - in this case, black and italian. Wesley Snipes (looking fiiiiiinnneee!!!!) plays Flipper, a happily married man living in Harlem with his wife and daughter. A new secretary Angie is hired to work at his firm, and eventually, the two begin an affair. Flipper confides in his friend (Spike Lee), and eventually Flipper's wife learns about the affair. Angie also tells two girlfriends, and her father and brothers also find out about the affair.

Angie and Flipper attempt a mixed race relationship, which doomed from the start, eventually fails.

Another part of the story deals with Samuel L Jackson as Flipper's brother Gator - a hopeless crack addict.

The dialogue in the film is quick, direct and pulls no punches. Spike Lee writes the best dialogue, he is incredibly inciteful. I always imagine Spike Lee to be a great listener. His seems to know what people in a particular situation would really say. He has incredible vision into his characters. They are as real as you or me.

Samuel L Jackson is brilliant brilliant brilliant as Gator, the hopeless crackhead. He delivers his line with venom and heartbreak at the same time. He is soooo good in this role.

The supporting cast is equally outstanding and full of Spike Lee Regulars: Ossie Davis, John Turturro, Ruby Dee to name but a few.

There are many very powerful scenes in this film, one that comes to mind is Flipper going to the crack den to look for Gator with Stevie Wonder's In the City playing in the background. Strong stuff.

This is a genius film by a genius director. Beautiful to look at, with a powerful message to tell.

8/10