Do the Right Thing Analysis Essay by Spike Lee

Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” is a groundbreaking film that tackles tough topics like racism, police brutality, and community tensions. Released in 1989, this movie still rings true today.

In this post, we’ll dive deep into what makes this film so important and how it reflects real-life issues.

Who is Spike Lee?

Before we jump into the movie, let’s talk about the man behind it. Spike Lee is a famous American filmmaker known for tackling social issues, especially those affecting African Americans. Born in 1957, Lee grew up in Brooklyn, New York, which often serves as the backdrop for his films.

Some key points about Spike Lee:

• He’s directed over 35 films
• His production company is called “40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks”
• He’s known for his unique visual style and storytelling techniques
• Lee often appears in his own films, including “Do the Right Thing”

Setting the Scene: Welcome to Bed-Stuy

“Do the Right Thing” takes place in Bedford-Stuyvesant (Bed-Stuy for short), a neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. The movie unfolds on the hottest day of the summer, which is important because the heat adds to the tension throughout the story.

Let’s paint a picture of Bed-Stuy in the movie:

• It’s a predominantly African American neighborhood
• There’s a strong sense of community, with people hanging out on stoops and in the streets
• Local businesses play a big role, especially Sal’s Famous Pizzeria
• The community is diverse, with African American, Italian American, Korean American, and Puerto Rican characters

The setting is like a character itself, showing us the good and bad sides of urban life in the late 1980s.

Main Characters: The Faces of the Neighborhood

To understand the movie, we need to know its key players. Here are some of the main characters:

1. Mookie (played by Spike Lee himself)
   • A young African American man who works as a pizza delivery guy for Sal’s
   • He’s trying to balance work, family, and his place in the community
2. Sal (Danny Aiello)
   • The Italian American owner of the pizzeria
   • He’s proud of his business and sees himself as part of the neighborhood
3. Radio Raheem (Bill Nunn)
   • A tall, imposing figure who always carries a giant boombox playing Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power”
   • He represents the voice of young, angry African Americans
4. Buggin’ Out (Giancarlo Esposito)
   • An outspoken community activist
   • He starts the conflict with Sal over the lack of photos of black people on the pizzeria’s Wall of Fame
5. Da Mayor (Ossie Davis)
   • An older, alcoholic man who acts as a kind of neighborhood philosopher
   • He often gives advice, including the film’s title phrase, “Always do the right thing”

These characters, and many others, represent different viewpoints and experiences within the community.

The Plot: A Day in the Life That Changes Everything

Now that we know the setting and characters, let’s look at what actually happens in the movie. Remember, all of this takes place on one really hot summer day:

1. The day starts with Mookie going to work at Sal’s Pizzeria
2. Buggin’ Out notices there are no photos of black people on Sal’s Wall of Fame
3. Tensions start to rise as Buggin’ Out demands changes and Sal refuses
4. Throughout the day, we see different conflicts and interactions between characters
5. The heat makes everyone more irritable and quick to anger
6. At night, Radio Raheem and Buggin’ Out confront Sal about the photos
7. A fight breaks out, and the police are called
8. In a tragic turn, the police kill Radio Raheem
9. The community, enraged by the killing, riots and burns down Sal’s Pizzeria
10. The next day, Mookie and Sal have a tense conversation about what happened

This simple plot hides a lot of complex ideas and emotions that we’ll explore next.

Themes: The Heart of the Matter

“Do the Right Thing” isn’t just about what happens – it’s about what it all means. Let’s break down some of the big themes in the movie:

Racism and Prejudice

This is the big one. The movie shows how racism affects everyday life, from small comments to big actions. We see it in:

• The argument over photos on Sal’s Wall of Fame
• How the police treat black characters differently from white ones
• Pino’s (Sal’s son) open dislike of black people, even though he loves black celebrities

Community vs. Outsiders

There’s a constant tension between who “belongs” in the neighborhood and who doesn’t. This plays out in several ways:

• Sal feels he’s part of the community because his business has been there for years
• The Korean shop owners are seen as outsiders by some
• Even within the black community, there are divisions (like between Mookie and his sister)

Police Brutality

The movie was ahead of its time in addressing police violence against black people. The killing of Radio Raheem is a central moment that echoes real-life events, both then and now.

Economic Inequality

Money (or the lack of it) is a big deal in the movie. We see:

• People struggling to make ends meet
• Businesses trying to survive in a poor neighborhood
• Arguments over who profits from the community

The Power of Music

Music isn’t just in the background – it’s a key part of the story. From Radio Raheem’s boombox to the local radio station, music represents cultural identity and resistance.

Cinematography: How the Movie Looks and Feels

Spike Lee isn’t just telling a story; he’s creating a whole world we can see and almost feel. Here are some ways he does this:

Color

The movie is full of bright, warm colors, especially red. This isn’t just to look good – it makes us feel the heat of the day and the rising tensions.

Camera Angles

Lee uses some unique camera techniques:

• Characters sometimes speak directly to the camera, breaking the “fourth wall”
• During tense moments, the camera might tilt, making us feel off-balance

The “Spike Lee Dolly Shot”

This is a famous technique where it looks like a character is gliding towards us. Lee uses this to create dreamlike moments that stand out from the rest of the action.

Symbolism: Hidden Meanings

Lee fills the movie with symbols that add extra meaning to what we’re seeing. Here are a few examples:

Radio Raheem’s “Love” and “Hate” Rings

These brass knuckles represent the constant battle between love and hate in the community and in all of us.

The Ice Cubes

In one scene, a character rubs ice cubes over his body to cool down. This symbolizes the temporary relief from the “heat” of racial tensions.

The Photos on the Wall

The lack of black faces on Sal’s Wall of Fame represents the larger issue of representation and who gets to be seen as important in society.

Controversy and Impact: Why It Matters

When “Do the Right Thing” came out, it caused a lot of debate. Some people worried it would cause real-life riots. Others praised it for showing hard truths about race in America. Here’s why it was (and still is) so important:

Starting Conversations

The movie forced people to talk about racism and police brutality in ways they hadn’t before.

Representation in Film

It showed complex, realistic black characters at a time when that was rare in Hollywood.

Artistic Innovation

Lee’s unique style influenced many filmmakers who came after him.

Ongoing Relevance

Sadly, many of the issues in the movie are still problems today, making it feel as current as ever.

The Big Question: What is “The Right Thing”?

The title of the movie asks us to think about what it means to do the right thing. But here’s the tricky part – the movie doesn’t give us a clear answer. Different characters have different ideas:

• Mookie throws a trash can through Sal’s window. Is this the right thing to protect the crowd from the police?
• Sal serves the community for years but refuses to put up photos of black people. Is he doing the right thing for his business?
• The community riots after Radio Raheem’s death. Is this the right response to injustice?

Lee doesn’t tell us what to think. Instead, he wants us to wrestle with these questions ourselves.

Legacy: How the Movie Lives On

More than 30 years after it came out, “Do the Right Thing” is still powerful. Here’s how it continues to matter:

In Film Studies

It’s taught in film schools as an example of innovative storytelling and social commentary.

In Popular Culture

References to the movie show up in TV shows, music, and other films.

In Social Movements

Activists often point to the movie when talking about ongoing issues of racism and police brutality.

For Spike Lee’s Career

This film put Lee on the map as a major director and set the tone for much of his later work.

Conclusion: Why You Should Watch (or Rewatch) “Do the Right Thing”

“Do the Right Thing” isn’t an easy movie to watch. It’s intense, it’s uncomfortable at times, and it doesn’t give us simple answers. But that’s exactly why it’s so valuable. By showing us a day in the life of this Brooklyn neighborhood, Spike Lee holds up a mirror to American society.

Watching this film helps us:

• Understand different perspectives on race and community
• See how small tensions can build up to big conflicts
• Think about our own role in fighting (or ignoring) racism
• Appreciate innovative filmmaking techniques

Whether you’re seeing it for the first time or the hundredth, “Do the Right Thing” has something important to say. It reminds us that doing the right thing isn’t always clear or easy, but it’s always worth thinking about.

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FAQs About “Do the Right Thing”

To wrap up our analysis, let’s answer some common questions about the movie:

1. Q: Is “Do the Right Thing” based on a true story? A: While the specific events in the movie are fictional, they were inspired by real incidents of racial tension and police brutality in New York and other parts of the U.S.
2. Q: Why does Mookie throw the trash can through Sal’s window? A: This is one of the most debated moments in the film. Some see it as Mookie choosing his community over his job, others as a way to redirect the crowd’s anger away from Sal. Spike Lee has said he wants viewers to decide for themselves.
3. Q: What does the ending mean? A: The movie ends with two quotes, one from Martin Luther King Jr. opposing violence, and one from Malcolm X defending self-defense. This reflects the movie’s theme of conflicting ideas about how to respond to injustice.
4. Q: Why is it always so hot in the movie? A: The extreme heat serves as a metaphor for the rising tensions in the neighborhood. It makes everyone more irritable and prone to conflict.
5. Q: What’s the significance of the song “Fight the Power”? A: This Public Enemy song, which plays throughout the movie, represents the spirit of resistance against racism and oppression. It’s like a theme song for the movie’s message.
6. Q: Has Spike Lee made any follow-ups to this movie? A: While there’s no direct sequel, many of Lee’s later films deal with similar themes of race and community in America.
7. Q: Why didn’t the movie win any major awards? A: Despite critical acclaim, the movie was controversial at the time. It received two Oscar nominations but didn’t win. Many people now see this as a major oversight.
8. Q: Is the movie still relevant today? A: Unfortunately, yes. Many of the issues it addresses, like police brutality and racial tensions, are still major problems in America and around the world.
9. Q: Where can I watch “Do the Right Thing”? A: The movie is available on various streaming platforms and can be rented or purchased digitally. Check your local listings or preferred streaming service.
10. Q: Are there any books about the making of the film? A: Yes, Spike Lee has published a book called “Do the Right Thing: A Spike Lee Joint” that includes the screenplay and behind-the-scenes information.