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Picture
Racial tensions rise to the boiling point on the hottest day
​of the year in a predominantly black neighborhood in Brooklyn.
DRAMA

Do the Right Thing (1989)

Written and Directed by Spike Lee

Starring Spike Lee, Danny Aiello, John Turturro, Ossie Davis,
Bill Nunn, Rosie Perez, Giancarlo Esposito, Richard Edson,
Samuel L. Jackson, Joie Lee, Roger Guenveur Smith

Oscar Nominations - Best Supporting Actor (Danny Aiello),
​Best Original Screenplay

Connor Eyzaguirre
June 1, 2020
8/10
Do the Right Thing is often cited as Spike Lee's masterpiece. It's the film that landed him his first Oscar nomination, and became one of the most significant racially-charged films of the 20th century. Basically, if you're ever going to watch a Spike Lee film, this is the one. And it lives up to the hype, especially today. I'm not gonna lie and say things are worse than they've ever been, or that we can get through these trying times together. What I will say is what I've said for years. Hate is taught, nobody is born with it. The riots and protests over the death of George Floyd are the latest example of that unfortunate statement that represents the true America. I found it a bit unnerving that, in this film, a major character is killed by police in a very similar manner.

Spike himself stars as Mookie, a pizza delivery boy who works for Sal's Famous Pizzeria, owned by longtime neighborhood pizza guy and closeted racist Sal (Aiello). On the hottest day of the year, tensions begin to rise between Sal's family and their many black customers. Mookie just wants everyone to get along, and not interfere with his paycheck. But when tensions become actions, Mookie is forced to pick a side. Granted, I think there are characters on both sides of the line that could've handled things better, but that's not for today. The performances are fantastic, and I think it's one of Spike's better scripts. It's much tighter than some of his other work.

Do the Right Thing is about to get a resurgence in views due to the similarities the ending has with the current situation. The film represents the boiling point of everyone's seeds of hate. Like a lot of Spike's films, nearly every character has a bit of prejudice, some more than others. And it's understandable how things escalated the way they did, especially once someone is killed. This is one of those films that will never go away, and for a damn good reason.

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Filmgazm is made by movie lovers for movie lovers. We believe in the magic of film and we aim celebrate films of all genres and throughout cinema history, regardless of who's behind the camera or who financed it. We at Filmgazm believe that every film deserves to be reviewed on its own merits and that's what we are here to do. Enjoy the show!
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