Review of Do the Right Thing (1997) by Nathaniel H — 15 Jan 2011
One of the greatest and most greatly controversial movies ever made, Do The Right Thing ended the Eighties on a searing note of racial anxiety and polarization. Many hailed it as a masterwork (it was absurdly not nominated for Best Picture), while others saw a a call to violence.
This was Spike Lee at the height of his genius and he writes each character with empathy and affection. Everyone in the picture feels so realized and true that when they do terrible things in the shocking climax you understand why they did it, even if it's deeply troubling.
Stylistically Lee made the movie vibrant and alive with a colorful visual palette and interesting camerawork that shunned the static and brilliant moments when characters speak directly to the camera to voice their indignation at the Koreans, blacks, Jews, you name it that they cruelly blame for all their problems.
Yet for all the anger and all that Lee unearths about a new America of every color on every block, this is a funny movie and one of the most incredibly warm and humane I've ever seen.
This review of Do the Right Thing (1997) was written by Nathaniel H on 15 Jan 2011.
Do the Right Thing has generally received very positive reviews.
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