Review of Do the Right Thing (1997) by David B — 28 Jul 2016

It's been a long time since I've seen this movie; don't remember the last time I've seen it, but I watched it tonight. It might as well have been the first time, though, because I didn't remember too much of it.

I'm not saying anything new when I say that this is a classic. From what I have seen and read of Spike Lee's oeuvre(which I'll admit is not nearly enough), this seems to be the most accessible of his works. It's bold and unapologetically black, but warm and funny with a dash of heaviness to it - basically, it's a Spike Lee joint.

The dialogue is snappy and even-paced and the characters are memorable - I remember reading somewhere that even the heat itself seems like it s own character; in the background, always lurking and prodding the tension. I think one of my favorite things about this is that it seems like a small snapshot of a time and place and when it's over, life goes on; it was just a two hour look. At times it's like we're listening in on small-talk conversations that aren't necessarily riviting but interesting nonetheless. Sometimes I'm in the mood for movies that are driven by "unimportant" talk.

I was seven when this movie came out, so I don't know first hand how 'Do the Right Thing' was received. I know that it is a reaction to the very real-life racial tensions that existed then and certainly exist now. If ever white America needed evidence that ugly racism and police brutality in the inner-city are nothing new (you may be surprised by how many people think "this whole anti-police attitude" is a new thing), this could be exhibit A.

I mean, what year was this movie made? Because, it goes without saying that the last 15 minutes could have taken place in 1969 just as much as it could in 1989, just as it could (and has) in 2016.