Do the Right Thing

Beautiful film

This film fully embodies the true power and genuine purpose of real cinema. It's not only timeless but, for very good reason, it's one of the best films ever made. It's a classic that will enrich your life and worldview. This film is an art piece. If you haven't seen it, there's not much more I can say except, what are you waiting for? Do the right thing and watch it. Now.

I remember watching this movie as kid but didnt get the point of it, now that im older and with all the stuff happening in todays events with blacks and the police i started thinking of this movie and watched it online. I know a lot of black people like this movie because it is relevant in todays times but i think they dont see the point of how this movie portrays blacks. Let me see what Spike Lee was trying to say... black people are lazy, disrespect each other, drink too much, are racist, demand too much, destroy other's property, don't trust black women alone with white men, have no sensitivity, are loud and offensive, can't form a sentence without dropping the F bomb, try to run other people's business, promote family resolution of problems through fighting, want to take away a hard working man's display of national pride, can't tolerate diversity, take out their frustration with the police on innocent white and Asian people, think they can beat up and possibly kill an old man defending his business and not get strong treatment of the police, call each other the N word and call Italians derogatory terms, make fun of Korean people who they are obviously jealous of, are hard and bitter, and on and on and on, and yet a lot of black people like this movie?!?!

Not a lot to say about this movie that others haven't already. I think about it often, as it still feels as current as the day it was released. Which is a tragedy. We should be watching this movie through the lens of history, but instead are still living it. A truely transcendent masterpiece. Surely one of Spike Lee's best. Do yourself a favor and just watch it. You owe society.

I decided to watch this, my first Spike Lee film, after the passing of Bill Nunn (Radio Raheem) and I'm so glad I finally took the plunge. This is a film I must own. It should be shhown in colleges and should be a mandatory viewing for those who say "they don't see color" or that "race issues don't exist in the U.S." The relevance of this film is frightening. Timeless tale. Masterpiece.

Great movie.

Years back, I said that this here motion picture was too negative to be worth anyone's time, naming mine. Just another rant/complaint about racial issues her in the States. But for recent years, I say and shall forever say, IT'S SOLID GOLD. While most films involving racial tensions and matters took (and take) a political or sentimental approach, "Do The Right Thing" dared to humanize the experience(s). In other words, producer-writer-director Spike Lee made a film about people as human beings. The mian and supporting characters are not shown as labels, not as colors, not even as personalities. But as PEOPLE. Period. (Paul Haggis would do the same thing years later with "Crash".) The neighborhood Bedford-Stuyvesant "Bed-Stuy", Brooklyn, NY was no doubt the place for it. Better and more realistic than some California movie lot or stage. Setting the story on the hottest day of the summer: genius. Tensions rise as the temperatures do; both would make anyone snap and fly off. But most of all, "Do The Right Thing" is unbiased in its audience appeal. It is for everyone, and speak to everyone. You just have to look beyond the so-easy-to-emphasize outer shell. Like She's Gotta Have It, Jungle Fever, and 25th Hour, this work of art demonstrates Spike Lee's choice to be original, to go by "call and respond", not to imitate others--no matter how alike in terms of skin color his peers are. Plus, he chose the right cast (John Turturro, Bill Nunn, Sam Jackson, Richard Edson, Steve Park, Luis Ramos, Danny Aiello, Robin Harris, Frankie Faison, to name some) and the right crew (cinematographer Ernest Dickerson, music composer Bill Lee, casting director Robi Reed, editor Barry Alexander Brown, to name a few) for the job. Speaking of realism, this film does not end on a triumphant note or on a fatalistic note. Rather, the closing says "Life goes on, even in the midst of tragedy and adversity," and implies that things around us are bad but they don't have to stay that way, if we just wake up and pay attention--and take a stand. And not forget to live, not just exist. Eat your hearts out, Townsend, Wayans, Hardy, and Perry. THIS is how it's done. And that's the double truth, Ruth!!!

Yes, I plead guilty to having been one of those people who are skeptical about such films as "Do the Right Thing." In fact, there was a time when I thought Spike was just another dude who complains about the same old social issues that give this country among many the blues. Fortunately, out of curiosity--and after seeing it on FX, I saw the Paul Haggis-directed film, Crash. It turned out to be one of the most broodingly honest, most daringly objective films I had ever seen. Then, next thing sure enough, Do the Right Thing came in, and the experience of seeing the film proved most rewarding. It also proved to be the most relatable as well. With some comedy on the side. I can totally relate to Vito (Richard Edson) and [yes I dare say] Pino (John Turturro)...but just a little bit. I am certainly in the grey area like Mookie (Spike Lee himself), and neither one of us thinks highly of a lot of things. And when Radio Raheem (Bill Nunn) tells the story of love and hate in the style of "The Night of the Hunter," I can't keep a straight face...because it is true. Same goes for Sweet Dick Willie (the late Robin Harris), one of the cornermen, and Mister Senior Love Daddy (Samuel L. Jackson--Sam Jackson at the time). That fight and riot scene is and always will be the toughest scene to watch. I don't know if Spike does that on purpose or it just happens, but Spike Lee spares no effort in telling the truth about society and its often harmful behavior. He also manages to leave the audience/veiwer with something to think about as well as a "life goes on" kind of closing [and message]. I don't know how he does it, but he does it. And I am behind him all the way; 100 percent. Sure, there are other black filmmakers out there, but Spike is the only one who makes me think of and feel something. You know why? Because while most filmmakers treat African-American/Black dudes and dudettes like some "special" class, this cat presents them as everyday human beings...WHICH THEY--I mean WE--ARE!! And not just the black dudes, but also the Korean dudes, Italian dudes, Latina dudettes, and even mixed dudes and dudettes alike. Not a complainer like those ignorant, single-minded, politically motivated failures. Before you go and dismiss S. Lee as a jealous, isolationist a**hole, remember this simple phrase: DOCTOR, ALWAYS DO THE RIGHT THING.

Not a great film if you are an Italian-American... Racist crap.

One thing about Spike Lee, besides making a cameo appearance in his own films; all of his films have a message and if you're open-minded, you won't miss them. This is a good one.