Review of Do the Right Thing (1997) by Knox M — 19 May 2017
One of the greatest of all American movies. This highly charged, landmark drama from writer-director Spike Lee, his third feature, is the best movie ever made about race relations in America. Set on a hot summer day in a multi-ethnic Brooklyn neighborhood, Bedford-Stuyvesant, a series of skirmishes throughout the community, caused by racial tension, lead to an outbreak of violence at an Italian pizzeria.
Lee's approach is both confrontational and evenhanded, but also remarkably funny. He juxtaposes direct-to-camera addresses as characters express various racial and ethnic prejudices, to us and each other.
The provocative ending was controversial for its ambiguity but made all the more powerful for it. There are several allusions made to real-life, contemporary race related incidents. Following the Rodney King riots, the movie would appear even more prescient today.
Superb cinematography with a vibrant red and yellow background by Ernest Dickerson. Music by the director's father, Bill Lee. Hip hop artists Public Enemy contributed the militant anthem, "Fight the Power," that is played during the opening title sequence and throughout the movie.
With Danny Aiello as Sal, the owner of the pizzeria; Spike Lee as Mookie; Richard Edson and John Turturro as Sal's sons; Rosie Perez; Bill Nunn as Radio Raheem; Ossie Davis as Da Mayor; Ruby Dee as Mother Sistser; Paul Benjamin; Frankie Faison; Robin Harris; Joie Lee; Samuel L.
Jackson; and Martin Lawrence. Selected for preservation by the National Film Registry.
This review of Do the Right Thing (1997) was written by Knox M on 19 May 2017.
Do the Right Thing has generally received very positive reviews.
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