Jungle Fever (1991)
Tomatometer: 83%

Can a film still be deemed a success even if its central premise misses the mark? Such is the case with Jungle Fever, Lee's examination of the allure of interracial relationships and family dynamics. Wesley Snipes stars as successful architect Flipper, who becomes enthralled with Angie (Annabella Sciorra), a temp in his office. The two begin an extramarital affair that meets with outright disdain from their respective families. But that's not the only thing troubling them; Flipper's brother Gator (Samuel L. Jackson) is a hopeless crack addict, and in one of the film's most harrowing scenes, Flipper ventures into a crack house to try to save him. If the central relationship isn't explored as fully as it should be, it isn't for lack of trying on the parts of Snipes and Sciorra, who bring conviction to their roles. But it's the couple's family members (whose ranks include Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee as Flipper's parents, and Anthony Quinn and John Turturro as Angie's father and fiance, respectively) that provide the punch that makes this a troubling, brave drama. "There are so many voices you may think you're swimming through a maelstrom, but thanks to Lee it's all superbly orchestrated," wrote Jonathan Rosenbaum in the Chicago Reader.