Review of Do the Right Thing (1989) by Audrey A — 09 Oct 2014

Written and produced by Spike Lee, Do The Right Thing portrays a modern urban neighborhood with distinct personalities characters. Set in Bedford - Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, Lee tells a story about the racial tension between Caucasians and African-Americans in the neighborhood. In this movie, Spike Lee explores the differences within the neighborhood by setting up a system of opposites - black and white, love and hate, conciliation and violence, men and women - then sets them against each other. Throughout the movie, there are a lot of contrasting positions as can be seen from the music, the tone of Jazz instrumental is a complete opposite from "Fight the Power" by Public Enemy which is a rap music. Lee sets the film during a hottest summer day with a temperature rising near one hundred degrees. The color of deep red dominates throughout the movie that represents the feeling of the people in Bedford - Stuyvesant, as it is the hottest summer day. This creates an explosive atmosphere, as can be seen from how the characters engage in aggressive confrontations, which cause the racial tension to increase and finally reaching a film's conclusion which includes a climax with violence.

The movie started out as a light and entertaining movie and then slowly become dramatic with tensions building up and it ends with a tragic climax. It can be seen how Spike is more focus on emphasizing the relationship and the tension between the characters rather than on the character themselves. Each of the character represents a certain belief, from the Buggin Out's uncontrolled anger and Radio Raheem on one side and Pino on the other side. The character Jade and Vito, who are trying to connect and live at peace with the other side, as well as Da Mayor in his isolated but peaceful state of mind, living in complete peace with the world around him, and Smiley who is living in his own isolated existence, then, the protagonist, Mookie, who is stuck in the middle, torn between his commitment and responsibilities to both sides. Finally, Mister Senor Love Daddy in half active character and half all-knowing narrator - who represents the voice of reason in the conflict, the reason which is bound to collapse. Each and every character plays an important part in the climatic and dramatic conflict to which the movie builds up, and though it's the radical ones - Buggin Out and Radio Raheem - who trigger the events that cause the tragedy, they are not necessarily the ones who finish it. It is Mookie and Sal, in fact, who ultimately play the main part.

In order to convey the racial tension between the characters, Spike Lee also uses the movement of the camera. Much of the camera's movements are rapid shot-reverse-shots, because characters are often yelling at one another throughout most of the film. The speed of the camera adds edginess to the dialogue through which the audience learns that the characters allow their personal struggles to interfere with their judgment about other races. Lastly, the camera's distance from the characters allows the audience to be more emotionally involved with the characters point of view. For example, the camera is normally close up on characters, placing the audience in the middle of the immediate action line. It increases the sense of mental and emotional stress that characters endure from dealing with one another in the heat of the moment.

Two different political philosophies by Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X ends the movie, Do The Right Thing. Martin Luther King Jr.'s political philosophy talks about non-violence ways to achieve the final goal of peace and equality between all race, while Malcolm X talks believes in the use of violence, if necessary, to defend oneself from others, calling it "intelligence". From the destructions of the Pizzeria, it can be seen how Spike Lee follow a philosophy, "an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind", as it has saved Sal's and his son's lives. At the beginning of the film, Mister Señor Love Daddy said "Wake up!" and "the forecast for today is hot!" After the destruction of the pizzeria, Mister Señor Love Daddy repeats those two lines, which represents how nothing has changed. The biggest struggle of the society may be how they are attempting to survive the racial conflicts that they are facing.

Personally, I think that Spike Lee has successfully provided a realistic view of the race relations at the time the movie was released. It provides the viewer an understanding of the problems behind racial tensions from Caucasians and African-Americans as well as their fears and frustrations. In my opinion, Do The Right Thing is tense, difficult, and also it breaks many taboos. I believe that some people will find this movie to be some kind of offensive due to its storyline as well as the language used. Overall, it was an entertaining and very well made film and well acted by an ensemble cast. This movie has a great message and really has some superb directing and acting. I would recommend this film to anyone interested in cinema since it is a unique work that is funny and insightful. This is the first Spike Lee movie that I've seen.