Writer/Director: Spike Lee
Starring: Wesley Snipes, Samuel L. Jackson and Ruby Dee
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors have achieved praise of Samuel L. Jackson. Ever since his rise to praise in the 1990’s, Jackson has become a beloved icon. Whether it is cruel gangsters, slave owners or political leaders, Jackson has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Jackson’s strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors that has always had a talent for stealing the show in supportive roles which have limited screen-time. Even if he isn’t the main focus of a movie, Jackson has always left a strong impression. An actor with commitment to his craft, Jackson has become a beloved icon in modern-day entertainment. Throughout a lasting career, Jackson has made several movies that are worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Jackson and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Jungle Fever” is his most underrated work. Released in 1991, Spike Lee’s movie offered a powerful portrait of interracial marriages. Packed with captivating production, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best films ever made about interracial romance. At the centre of it all is a fantastic performance from Samuel L. Jackson, who plays a drug addict in tensions. Ultimately, what makes “Jungle Fever” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most movies made by Spike Lee which are targeted towards a specific audience, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate with. A breathtaking masterpiece about interracial marriages, there are many strong reasons why “Jungle Fever” is worth seeing.
“Jungle Fever” tells the story of an African-American man that engages in extramarital affair causing disaster. Wesley Snipes plays Flipper, a young black man with dreams of building a bright future. Wesley has always been careful to steer clear of relationships with the opposite race. However, Wesley’s life drastically changes when he falls in love with a white Caucasian woman that causes disaster. Seeking guidance of his long-time companion Gator (Samuel L. Jackson), he questions his abilities to pursue romance in tension. Faced with complications causing damage, Wesley struggles to maintain his relationship in an interracial marriage. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Wesley questions his abilities to maintain romances under pressure.
Spike Lee has always been fascinated with themes of racism. An exceptional African-American filmmaker, Lee has often made engaging movies about racism in America. His iconic film “Do the Right Thing” offered a powerful portrait of black men struggling in neighbourhood to do the right thing. With “Jungle Fever”, however, Lee made his first ever interracial marriage drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture tension faced by black men engaging in interracial marriages causing adversity but he pulled it off successfully. Evoking Steven Spielberg’s “The Colour Purple”, Lee expertly uses point of view shots to capture the lives of African-Americans in marriages that are painful. For instance, the point of view shots elevate the interracial marriage scene. During this tense scene, Flipper meets Angie for the first time sparking their romantic affair. Using point of view shots, Lee builds portraits of interracial marriage that’s engaging. POV shots aren’t easy techniques to use in films. As Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained” suggested, POV shots elevate slavery movies. However, it works immensely in this movie. Using bold visuals, Lee captures tensions that men in interracial marriages are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Jungle Fever” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best romantic films ever made. Inspired with Robert Mulligan’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”, the filmmaker effectively uses costumes to capture the racial tensions lovers are facing. Throughout the movie, Flipper’s costumes showcase his rocky marriage which cause tension. For instance, costumes elevate the argument scene. During this heartfelt scene, Flipper has a tense argument with his wife that causes tension. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Terence Blanchard’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing heavy burden that black men in interracial marriages bear. Using brilliant production, Lee captures interracial marriages that face tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Jungle Fever” is a movie about interracial marriage that’s compelling. The film is very well-written, and effectively uses silence to capture the tensions faced by individuals in a broken marriage. Lee’s greatest strength as a screenwriter is his capability to capture the hardships faced by African Americans in marriages through silence. For instance, the silence enhances the breakup scene. During this unforgettable scene, Flipper decides to break up with his wife after arguments that cause tension. Through silence, Lee creates a portrait of interracial marriage audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in films. As Quentin Tarantino’s “Jackie Brown” suggested, silence enhances movies about powerful con-artists. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using a captivating screenplay, Lee conveys extramarital affairs with a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Samuel L. Jackson delivers one of his finest career performances as Gator. Jackson first achieved appreciation for playing gangsters in great crime dramas. With “Jungle Fever”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to play a black man engaging in interracial marriage but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him in a past before: intense, charismatic and lively in his most memorable role. With engaging expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and grief of an African-American man that faces marriage. It’s a fantastic performance from one of the most celebrated actors that is working today.
While the film is mainly a strong showcase for Samuel L. Jackson, the supporting cast is also superb. Wesley Snipes is wonderful, capturing the painful dilemma that’s faced by a black man that engages in interracial marriage which isn’t successful. Annabella Sciorra is astonishing, capturing dilemma of a white woman that falls in love with a black man causing trauma. Lastly, John Turturro is unforgettable. As a racist musician, he brings tension to the movie.
Finally, “Jungle Fever” will earn the praise of everyone for capturing interracial romances facing disaster. Unlike most movies made by Spike Lee that are targeted towards a small audience, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses bold themes of ambition, mental health and trauma that will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with interracial marriages to enjoy it. Therefore, “Jungle Fever” is one of those rare films about interracial marriage everyone wil adore.
Fans of Samuel L. Jackson will absolutely enjoy “Jungle Fever” and so would movie-goers seeking meaningful entertainment. A riveting drama, it honours a legendary actor with charisma.
Nearly 40 years following the release of an iconic film about black men engaging in an interracial marriage, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary actor that has never lost his abilities to engage making memorable films that have achieved a following delivering a meaningful message.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 