Really good for the most part. It feels a bit all over the place at first, but it comes together as it goes on. It's better if approached as an ensemble movie, sort of like Do The Right Thing, even if Wesley Snipes' character's affair is the most prominent storyline.
Speaking of Snipes, he's great here, as is the rest of the cast (many of whom also make appearances in either Goodfellas or The Sopranos or both, funnily enough). Samuel L Jackson deserves particular praise, too. He's great here, and plays a very different character to the kind he'd become famous for playing once he became more famous.
The themes about race and modern-day segregation between two different New York neighbourhoods are pretty in your face, but the film's honest and upfront about that, so it works. And it's highlighting important issues that you can tell Spike Lee as a filmmaker feels passionate about.
I also enjoyed the Stevie Wonder-filled soundtrack, and the usual Spike Lee stylistic touches. Still, I'll admit I don't know what to make of the very last scene, and there are a couple of dramatic moments near the end that don't really get the follow-up you'd expect. It means Jungle Fever doesn't really stick its landing, but otherwise the film is another solid watch in Spike Lee's excellent filmography.
Speaking of Snipes, he's great here, as is the rest of the cast (many of whom also make appearances in either Goodfellas or The Sopranos or both, funnily enough). Samuel L Jackson deserves particular praise, too. He's great here, and plays a very different character to the kind he'd become famous for playing once he became more famous.
The themes about race and modern-day segregation between two different New York neighbourhoods are pretty in your face, but the film's honest and upfront about that, so it works. And it's highlighting important issues that you can tell Spike Lee as a filmmaker feels passionate about.
I also enjoyed the Stevie Wonder-filled soundtrack, and the usual Spike Lee stylistic touches. Still, I'll admit I don't know what to make of the very last scene, and there are a couple of dramatic moments near the end that don't really get the follow-up you'd expect. It means Jungle Fever doesn't really stick its landing, but otherwise the film is another solid watch in Spike Lee's excellent filmography.