Last Night I Watched: ‘Do The Right Thing’ 1989)

Director: Spike Lee

Cast:  Spike Lee, Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Giancarlo Esposito, John Turturro, and Samuel L. Jackson

Running Time: 120 minutes

Country: USA

Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing is the type of movie that reminds me why I love film. It is electrifying, kinetic cinema that moves through interesting scenarios and characters so passionately that it’s impossible not to be immersed. It is also unnervingly relevant and the topics it explores have only gained poignancy in the twenty-five years since its release, as issues of race continue to pervade contemporary affairs.

Mookie (Spike Lee) leads the story as a delivery boy who works at Sal’s Pizza, the local Italian pizzeria situated in a predominantly black neighbourhood. Lee is not particularly concerned with one person however, instead depicting the lives of many different characters in inner city Brooklyn on one of the hottest days of the year. This focus on the ordinary allows it to present a more nuanced and exciting look at race than one is ever likely to see in a political drama or biopic. Take the conversation between Mookie and Pino (John Turturro) where Pino admits that his favourite basketball star is Magic Johnson and favourite movie star is Eddie Murphy but refuses to stop spouting racist remarks. This interaction perfectly encapsulates the hypocrisy of an American society that celebrates black celebrities whilst simultaneously rejecting ordinary black citizens. At another point Lee sums up the tensions between black communities and the police through a wordless encounter as a cop car passes three black men on the street. They look at the police with complete frustration and mistrust and are greeted with a stare full of contempt and obnoxiousness. The scene ends with both parties saying ‘what a waste’, which captures the inherent disconnect between the law and citizens in areas like this.

…perfectly encapsulates the hypocrisy of an American society that celebrates black celebrities whilst simultaneously rejecting ordinary black citizens.

Image: Sky Movies

Do The Right Thing is not solely distinguished by its depictions of race however. Lee executes a masterful control of tone here and his ability to seamlessly jump from moments of pure entertainment to ones of emotional depth is extremely impressive. Da Mayor (Ossie Davis) presents this display of moods well. He is often a flamboyant and comedic character but his encounter with a group of youths is heart-breaking as they are too naïve to appreciate the pain he has gone through. Lee does not restrict himself to a specific mood but wants to provide some insight into the emotional flourishes apparent in each day.

The acting is impeccable from every member of the film’s extensive ensemble cast, with almost every actor being given at least one scene to provide their character with depth. The possible standout is Danny Aiello as Sal. He is able to create a realistic depiction of a generally good man who unwittingly initiates a series of events that end in tragedy. Him and Giancarlo Esposito whose manic energy and charisma provides the funniest moments of the film and draws you to him every time he appears on screen.

Mookie (left) and Sal (right). Image: Sky Movies

Films like Do The Right Thing don’t come about very often. It is deliciously entertaining but creates a detailed and fascinating narrative of racial tension amongst the many ethnicities in one neighbourhood; one that crescendos in a brutal finale that is eerily reminiscent of the death of Eric Garner in 2014. One is reminded in these final moments that the issues it depicts are still just as relevant today as they were in 1989.