Do The Right Thing [DVD] [1989]

 

 

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This is a movie thats fun to watch for an hour and a bit as it cruises along (Samuel L is brilliant at portraying the vibe as a radio host)...and then BANG, the riot starts and you suddenly realise why the characters were explored so thoroughly in their 'natural environment' before. It is only until Mookie throws the garbage can through the window that you suddenly realise the movie becomes a classic.

Why is it a clasic? Because its so damn controversial and divisive. Sure you can take the higher than thou enlightened approach and say everyone was wrong and that the difference between black and white is in the eye of the beholder. Or you can take Spike Lees view and argue a mans death deserves wanton destruction no mater why or who killed him...

For me, I'm a principles count kinda guy and I think Mookie made an immoral assholish decision. Forgettin colour altogether, the cheek to put on his uniform and ask for his pay after inciting a riot to take down his generous employment (he was a lazy worker) is astonishing to me (I was shocked) and I don't think anyone with an elementary sense of justice and principles could condone that behaviour just because he was black and another black man happened to die by accident (which btw was all started by the crazy preacher character in the 1st place!). The 3 ignorant black folk that come in late for a pizza (and Sal generously obliges) and then help punk him out nails the point for me.

I honestly initially thought the conclusion was the black people can be racist too. (the preacher character who maniacally wants the black photos in the pizzeria in 'his' neighbourhood symbolises this) Reading the opposing quotes at the end I then thought that Lee wanted to symblise how 2 differing views of race issues have divided blacks. Upon hearing what he said about property v life, I understand he now more or less actually stands for Mookie's viewpoint which is very dissappointing.

I can only imagine what kind of reaction one of Sals sons would have gotten if they went into a black business in the area and told them to hang up Italian idols on the wall....

That said althought the movies idea is strongly against my feelings and thoughts I can appreciate the beauty of the movie in that anyone can watch it; such is the good camera work, acting, dialogue (especially notable) and characters subplots. This movie is literally timeless as a race relations exploration and Id encourage anyone with race issues in their society to watch it (and hopefully take the right conclusions).

The movie is not preachy, everything is subtle. Even the preacher is only completely accepted more or less by default because of the Radio mans death (before then he had crazy hair). Even the Italians are not totally innocent as one of the son's is simply a bully. There are also other issues like the Asian thread, the mother-sister old drunk relationship, Mookie's relationship with his girl, son and grandmother and so on.

This is well worth watching. Its such a zeitgeist movie, so artistic and well crafted Im can easily imagine future aspiring directors/social commentators study this in film school. 10/10

I won't focus on the films too much as you're only likely to buy this box set if you have some experience of Spike Lee films already. Being a huge fan of 'Clockers' I was curious to check out Spike's earlier films, and this box set includes what I think are 3 of his best ‘joints’.

‘Do the Right Thing’ is certainly provocative but revolutionary in its style and presentation. You’ll probably want to watch this first before watching his other films to understand Lee’s style of film-making.

‘Jungle Fever’, while not as important as ‘Do the Right Thing’ is never the less a fine film with some great performances from Lee’s regular group of actors (especially John Turturro).
‘Clockers’ is my personal favourite and to me shows Spike Lee as a more mature director, although the involvement of Scorsese and Harvey Keitel no doubt helped for this one.

So 3 great films, but a bit of a let down on the presentation front. ‘Do the Right Thing’ has received a reasonable treatment in terms of extras, commentary and picture quality but the other 2 are bare minimum releases.

Quite simply, this is Lee's best and most powerful film to date. He combines wit and anger to illustrate the evils of racism. As the temperatures rise on the hottest day of the summer, tempers begin to fray in a Brooklyn neighbourhood. When night falls and a young black man dies at the hands of the police, these racial tensions boil over into a neighbourhood race riot. The tight script and strong acting, with Lee taking the lead, as well as the noise of Public Enemy combine perfectly to produce one of the best African-American films of all time. In my top 10 films ever.

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5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Film About (Black/White) Racism Ever Made?
Spike Lee's 1989 masterpiece Do The Right Thing is arguably the best film about racism ever made. I was trying to think of other comparators, and whilst there are of course many... Read more

Published 2 months ago by Keith M

5.0 out of 5 stars 20 years later, still hits home
When I first saw this film, I was utterly mesmerized by the lively, tumultuous tableau that Lee so masterfully painted. Read more

Published 4 months ago by rob crawford

5.0 out of 5 stars ONE OF THE BEST AMERICAN FILMS
If I had to name 10 best American films, this Spike Lee joint would probably enter the competition, fighting with the best Ford, Hawks, Altman, Lang, Hitchcock, Huston, Welles,... Read more

Published on 3 Dec 2009 by Nikica Gilic

5.0 out of 5 stars You're not to be so blind with patriotism that you can't face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it
I purchased this film just out of curiosity and of course like everyone else I was totally blown away by it. Read more

Published on 17 Sep 2009 by luvstuff

5.0 out of 5 stars The best Hip Hop Film
Although this film is not about Hip Hop, it embodies the spirit of Hip Hop circa 1989.

Public Enemy's music blasts throughout the film, the characters could have... Read more

Published on 4 Mar 2009 by British Commentator

4.0 out of 5 stars unforgettable - what a way to get a message accross
the style is not to everyone's taste, but it's nicely pitched........ however irritating the characters, they put you right there..... Read more

Published on 6 Jan 2009 by phil mars

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece of Urban Cinema
While some people find Spike Lee's filmic style a little too "in your face" at time, it is impossible to deny that he has extraordinary talent as both screenwriter and director... Read more

Published on 13 Aug 2008

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic
Forget the recently made film Crash which far from being a critical analysis of race and class in society this film, made over a decade before is the one you want to see... Read more

Published on 14 July 2008 by Gogol

5.0 out of 5 stars The movie that put Spike on the map, and deservedly so
The first time I've seen Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing" was at the theater and the movie refused to leave my mind for about several weeks. Read more

Published on 26 Jun 2007 by Jenny J.J.I.

5.0 out of 5 stars Bordering between racist and brilliant
The film's best scene characterises the best and worst of life, race relations and this film. 'Radio Raheed' shows us two knuckle-dusters - one called 'LOVE' one called 'HATE' and... Read more

Published on 1 April 2006 by H. Feddern

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