Review of Do the Right Thing (1997) by Jonny P — 01 Dec 2011

"Do the Right Thing" is a slice of Americana, but not the slice of it that we typically like to advertise. Spike Lee takes a typical hot summer day and shows how a few personality clashes over insignificant events can escalate into violence and hate.

The racial tension is disquieting and the penultimate scene is simply uncomfortable to watch. With a simple setting as a street of NYC with a pizza place and a market, and characters like and irresponsible delivery boy and big man with a boom box, it is tough to believe that this setting will become the medium for the upsetting events that unfold.

Even though the story is very well written, the true charm of this movie is its vast array of characters, none of which has a "lead role." By not having a main character, the film puts the audience into the story, almost allowing each viewer to take on a role in the story.

Unlike most films where you form an empathetic connection with one character, this film makes you connect with an entire race as your perspective shifts from one group of people to another in the middle of a scene.

I honestly can't explain how, whether it is the unique camera angles or way that the script reads, but each scene takes on multiple first-person perspectives. You view the conflict as an Italian American, then suddenly view the conflict from an African American perception.

Even though there is no stand-alone "lead actor," there are so many memorable performances. Danny Aiello's closing monologue is one of the most emotive of film in the 1980's and earned a deserving Oscar nomination.

Spike Lee brings great depth to the character of Mookie, often unemotional and hiding the complex emotions and internal motivations that cannot be explained. John Turturro is intense, Ossie Davis has excellent mannerisims as Da Mayor, and Bill Nunn (the cop from Sister Act) gives my favorite performance of this film as Radio Raheem.

His mere presence is intimidating at 6'3, but the thing that amazes me is the smooth flow of profanity from his mouth. There are so many f-words in this film, but it truly creates an atmosphere and a culture that is absolutely necessary to this movie.

His speech is so natural, as if he grew up as this character. I also love him because he is from Pittsburgh... This really is an incredible script by Lee, as the story's slow progression over a 1-day period allows you to get to know a large volume of characters and their motivations in a short period of time.

The ending is particularly poignant as life goes on the next morning, as if these events are commonplace in the world of the inner city. Although this film's graphic language will have your ears burning, it is an amazing achievement for Spike Lee.