Do The Right Thing is a film that took me by surprise. It is a film filled with a lot of anger and sadness disguised and hidden by funny likable characters who charm you at first and then surprise you during the explosive ending.
The film is about a hot day in Brooklyn's Bed Stuy neighborhood, a day that ends with an ugly explosion of violence and hate in the form of a race riot. The film however, is not about the riot itself or by any means is it a call for racial violence. Instead, Spike Lee made you see the characters doing their daily routines as they interact with each other. Almost all of the characters are sympathetic which makes the tension at the end far more meaningful.
The performances in the film are all around fantastic. Including Spike Lee himself who plays Mookie, the character who we see most of the world through. Other noteworthy performances are given by Ossie Davis, Danny Aiello, Giancarlo Esposito (Gus from Breaking Bad), Ruby Dee and John Turturro.
The film is about how common misunderstandings and miscommunications can lead to violence if enough pressure is added. It is entertaining and sad and leaves an impression.
A side note: This film also shows how unjust the Oscar voting can be as this film was not nominated for Best Picture but Driving Miss Daisy (a film with a far more watered down tone of racism) won.
I'm not familiar with his entire work, but this is by FAR my favorite Spike Lee movie. I love the in your face interior dialogues spoken directly to the camera.
ReplyDeleteI hear rumors that Spike Lee is making a sequel, and is reassuming the lead role. Could be cool.
That would be interesting to see what they do with it. Last I heard Spike Lee was wanting to remake "Oldboy" with Josh Brolin and Colin Firth
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