Jungle Fever (1991)
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A successful Harlem architect embarks on a tumultuous interracial affair that exposes deep-seated racial myths and personal betrayals.
The story
Successful Harlem architect Flipper Purify lives with his wife Drew and their young daughter, Ming. While working at his firm in mid-town Manhattan, Flipper discovers that an Italian-American woman named Angela "Angie" Tucci has been hired as his temp secretary. Despite initial hesitation regarding the racial dynamics, Flipper relents. Angie is engaged to Paulie Carbone, a quiet man who faces antagonism from her brothers. After working several late nights together, Flipper and Angie begin a tumultuous extramarital relationship, leading to a series of personal and professional consequences for both individuals as they navigate the complexities of their liaison in New York City.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Flipper Purify, a Harlem architect, begins an affair with Angie Tucci, a temp secretary at his firm. Flipper eventually resigns from his job after being denied a partnership. He confesses his infidelity to his friend Cyrus, who labels the attraction "jungle fever"—a product of sexualized racial myths. Flipper's wife, Drew, discovers the affair and evicts him, forcing him to live with his parents. Meanwhile, Angie's father discovers her relationship and beats her, leading her to end her engagement with Paulie Carbone. Flipper and Angie move into a Greenwich Village apartment but face discrimination and internal conflict regarding their future and family. The narrative also follows Flipper's crack-addicted brother, Gator, whose erratic behavior leads to a tragic confrontation with their father, the Good Reverend Doctor Purify, who shoots and kills him. Paulie, despite being mocked by his racist friends, attempts to date a black woman named Orin Goode but is viciously assaulted. The film concludes with Flipper and Angie acknowledging that their relationship was based on myths rather than love, while Flipper experiences a moment of anguished torment as he leaves his apartment.
- First release year
- 1991
- Runtime (minutes)
- 132
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Spike Lee
- Writers
- Spike Lee · writer; Spike Lee · producer; Spike Lee · director
- Cast and characters
- Wesley Snipes · Flipper Purify; Annabella Sciorra · Angela "Angie" Tucci; Spike Lee · Cyrus; Ossie Davis · The Good Reverend Doctor Purify; Ruby Dee · Lucinda Purify; Samuel L. Jackson · "Gator" Purify; Lonette McKee · Drew Purify; John Turturro · Paulie Carbone
- Genres
- romantic comedy-drama; drama
- Themes
- Racism; Drugs; Interracial Relationships; Adultery
- Tone and mood
- Provocative; Emotionally charged
- Premise and plot tags
- Interracial Romance; Adultery; Substance Abuse; Racism; Dysfunctional Family
- Reception
- The film received mostly positive reviews, particularly for Samuel L. Jackson's performance, and was a commercial success. It sparked controversy and was recognized for its provocative style and exploration of sociopolitical themes.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 81% · review count: 52; Metacritic · score: 78% · review count: 24
- Awards and nominations
- Best Supporting Actor · Cannes Film Festival · 1991 · Win; Prize of the Ecumenical Jury (Special Mention) · Cannes Film Festival · 1991 · Win; Best Supporting Actor · Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards · 1991 · Win; 10th Best Film of the Year · National Board of Review · 1991 · Nomination/Placement; Best Supporting Actor · New York Film Critics Circle Awards · 1991 · Win; Human Rights Award · Political Film Society · 1991 · Win
- Production trivia
- The film was dedicated to Yusef Hawkins, who died on August 23, 1989.; Samuel L. Jackson played Gator after getting out of rehab for his own crack addiction.; The film's soundtrack was released before the movie's premiere.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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