The film was shot in New York City and tells the story of Flipper Purify, a successful married African-American architect played by Wesley Snipes, who begins an affair with his white Italian-American secretary Angie Tucci, played by Annabella Sciorra. This relationship sparks intense reactions in their families and communities, exploring deeply rooted racial tensions and cultural divisions in early 1990s New York. The film captures the atmosphere of Harlem and Brooklyn neighborhoods with authenticity, showing real streets, restaurants, and landmarks that ground the story in a specific urban reality. Spike Lee uses his signature bold visual style and uncompromising dialogue to dissect how interracial relationships were perceived across different ethnic communities at the time. The film also features memorable performances by Samuel L. Jackson as Flipper's drug-addicted brother and Ossie Davis as his strict father, adding layers of family drama to the central conflict.

Filming Locations:

Flipper's House

In the Movie

The scene where located here, on the historic Strivers' Row, serves as the main residence where Flipper lives with his wife and family throughout the film.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at 252 West 139th Street, located in Strivers' Row, one of the most historic and architecturally significant blocks in Harlem. The row houses here were designed by renowned architects in the late 1800s and became home to successful African Americans in the early 20th century. The block is a designated New York City historic district.

PS129 School

In the Movie

The scene where the neighborhood school is shown, establishing the Harlem community atmosphere where Flipper Purify lives and the everyday environment surrounding his family life in the area.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at the public school building PS129, located at the corner of West 130th Street and Convent Avenue in Harlem. The school has served the local community for decades and its distinctive architecture makes it a recognizable neighborhood landmark. The building has appeared in several films and TV shows set in Harlem.

Angie's House

In the Movie

The scene where Angie Tucci's family home is located in an Italian-American neighborhood of Brooklyn, where she lives with her father and brothers, and where the tension over her interracial relationship becomes most acute.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a house on East 57th Street in the Flatlands neighborhood of Brooklyn, near Avenue O. This is a residential area with a strong Italian-American community presence, which was central to the character's background in the film. The neighborhood is characterized by modest row houses and a quiet suburban atmosphere, despite being within New York City limits.