Do the Right Thing ---- ****1/2 (out of 5) (1989)
Cast: Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Richard Edson, Giancarlo Esposito
Director(s): Spike Lee
Screenwriter(s): Spike Lee
Released on: June 30, 1989
Reviewed on: April 21, 2005
Rated: R - profanity, violence, sexual situations, brief nudity
DO THE RIGHT THING is a courageous film that tackles tough issues, especially during the time it was released. This was the era of the "race riots" resulting from the conflict between blacks and whites in big cities. DO THE RIGHT THING takes us into a normal setting, where people go about their daily routines, until things are interrupted by the ever-present racial disputes.
We're taken into a neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York, on one of the hottest days of the summer. The focal point of the story is Sal's Famous Pizzeria, a locally-acclaimed pizza shop owned by an American-Italian named Sal. His two sons, Pino and Vito, are employees, and a young black man named Mookie is the delivery boy. Around the block, we have characters like Radio Raheem, who demands that the volume on his boombox be loud and attention-getting; Da Mayor, an old alcoholic providing some underrated philosophy; Buggin' Out, who is annoyed by the Italians on Sal's wall and wants to see some African-American faces; and Senor Lovedaddy, the friendly disc jockey who knows just about everyone in the area. There are many other characters who are too numerous to mention, but they all play important roles in the story. As the day goes by, the racial tension becomes so high that a fight breaks out followed by an ensuing riot.
The phrase "brutally honest" comes to mind when analyzing this film. It's honest in its deliverance of controversial messages, therefore, it shows us a brutal take on the state of inequality around 1989. Another great thing I've noticed is that every character is given proper screentime to develop their personality. As a result, no particular person can be considered the "star" of the show. When we look at Mookie, we don't see Spike Lee trying to be someone else. Mookie is Mookie, and he is a human being with sharp and distinct characteristics all his own. As the true-to-life tale plays out, we can be thankful for the absence of any A-list star trying to ham it up and make his/her name recognition the primary reason for seeing DO THE RIGHT THING. Relying only on the story and the interactions of the characters, the director ensures that the film will attract individuals who sincerely want to view it for these things.
DO THE RIGHT THING succeeds on nearly every intended level. With the flamboyant use of reds and oranges in the lighting, the atmosphere is established perfectly, creating a hot and humid feeling, even for those sitting in an air-conditioned home. When a character gets the opportunity to be near a fan or obtain some ice cubes, we can truly relate to the easing of their burdens and the temporary disconnection from reality. The ending is nowhere near a "happily ever after" finish, but the hopeful feeling of moving on and the possibility of tomorrow being a better day leaves DO THE RIGHT THING on the necessary tone just as the end credits roll.
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