Jungle Fever is a 1991 American drama film directed by Spike Lee, starring Wesley Snipes and Annabella Sciorra. It was Lee’s fifth feature-length film. The film was highly controversial for its exploration of interracial relationships

Flipper Purify (Wesley Snipes) is a successful, married African American man who works at an architectural firm in New York City. One day, an Italian American woman named Angela “Angie” Tucci (Annabella Sciorra) is hired as a temporary secretary at the place. Flipper complains to his partners Jerry (Tim Robbins) and Leslie (Brad Dourif) about wanting an African American secretary; they tell him that they want “the best human being for the job.”

When Flipper returns to his Harlem home after visiting his friend Cyrus (Spike Lee), he tells his wife Drew (Lonette McKee) about his promotion. Drew tells him to be prepared if his promotion is declined, but Flipper tells her not to worry. Meanwhile, Angie returns to her Bensonhurst home, and cooks dinner for her father Mike (Frank Vincent) and her two brothers Charlie (David Dundara) and Jimmy (Michael Imperioli). Her boyfriend Paulie Carbone (John Turturro) arrives and takes her out on a date.

One night, Flipper and Angie are working late at the firm, and they start to have a conversation about cooking. They continue to work late and have dinner in his office and they have sex on a desk. The next day, Flipper doesn’t say anything when he’s walking his daughter to school. Later, at the office, he tells Jerry and Leslie that he wanted to be partner at the firm. After his offer is declined, he abruptly quits his job. Later that night at the park, Flipper admits his infidelity to Cyrus. Then, Flipper’s brother Gator (Samuel L. Jackson) shows up with his girlfriend Vivian (Halle Berry). He asks Flipper for some money so he can feed his crack habit. Flipper initially refuses, but gives in eventually. Meanwhile, Angie tells her girlfriends that she’s seeing Flipper, shocking them when she tells them he is African American. She then tells them not to tell anybody.

The next evening Flipper and Angela are ignored by the staff at a restaurant. He complains to a waitress (Queen Latifah) about not being served, she in turn berates him for dating a white woman. Later, the rumors about them surface when Flipper comes home and sees a furious Drew throwing his things out of the window, forcing him to moves back in with his mother Lucinda (Ruby Dee) and his father the Good reverend doctor (Ossie Davis). Later that night, he confronts Cyrus for betraying his trust. Cyrus admitted he told his wife Vera (Veronica Webb), but didn’t know she told Drew. Flipper insults Vera, causing a rift in his friendship with Cyrus.

The next day, Flipper tries to make things up to Drew by bringing her flowers at work, which she proceeds to refuse. Meanwhile, Angie ends her relationship with Paulie. His father Lou (Anthony Quinn) finds Paulie in the bathroom and consoles him. When Angie returns home, a livid Mike violently beats her for dating a black man and throws her out of the house. Flipper and Angie move in to an apartment together, where they subsequently encounter social problems including a failed dinner with Flipper’s parents. These and other issues eventually strain relations between the couple; eventually, they break up and return to their normal lives. Paulie attempts to start a similar relationship with an African American woman called Orin Goode (Tyra Ferrell), but encounters problems of his own.

One night, a high Gator storms into his parent’s house while the Reverend is away, demanding money from Lucinda while trashing the house. The Reverend arrives and threatens to shoot him if he doesn’t leave; Gator turns to leave, but upon hearing the Reverend insult him, he turns around and threatens him. The Reverend tells Gator he is better off dead, and shoots him.

Flipper reconciles with Drew and while walking down a street, Vivian blocks his path, offering to provide fellatio for two dollars. Flipper, in response, hugs her and screams out to the heavens before the frame freezes on his face and ends the movie.

Cast

Soundtrack

Jungle Fever (soundtrack).

Awards

• 1991 Cannes Film Festival
  • Best Supporting Actor

    Samuel L. Jackson^[4]

  • Prize of the Ecumenical Jury (Special Mention)
• Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards
  • Best Supporting Actor

    Samuel L. Jackson

• National Board of Review
  • 10th best film of the year
• New York Film Critics Circle Awards
  • Best Supporting Actor

    Samuel L. Jackson

• Political Film Society Human Rights Award