Do The Right Thing (1989)

Before we jump into discussing Do the Right Thing, I just want to acknowledge that the film touches on some heavy and complex subjects, including race, social tension, and community struggles. My goal here is to engage with the movie in a thoughtful and respectful way, without getting too deep into politics or heated discussion. I know that everyone may have different feelings or interpretations. Let’s keep the conversation open, respectful, and focused on the film’s message and impact.

Here are some words that I couldn't find while in the reaction, but here is how I can try to get my feelings out pen to paper.

Newly added to the AFI list in 2007 at #96. (I GUESS I read my list wrong and kept saying 1997)

I loved this movie. Do the Right Thing (1989) lives up to its title in every sense. The title alone carries the weight of the film’s message - and maybe even life itself. It’s about integrity, accountability, and doing what’s morally right, whether people are watching or not. I didn’t touch on this much in my reaction, but what lingers with me is the idea of integrity - the deep responsibility to do what’s ethically right, even when the lines are blurred.

Watching this felt like having a lump of coal in my throat at times, I was at a loss for words. I was trying to listen and reflect on each individual. I think that’s where the brilliance of Spike Lee’s work shines through. It also had so many funny moments that kept a heartbeat of life pulsing through the film and the community. The film delivers complex social commentary so effectively, it doesn’t need much added. It’s vibrant, raw, and full of life-almost like a documentary mixed with a music video. It felt startlingly real, and while some scenes were hard to watch, they forced empathy for every character. The film shows how deeply rooted racial tensions are, and how difficult they are to untangle.

The empathy you feel for every character, no matter how flawed, is a testament to Spike’s storytelling. He doesn’t offer easy answers because there aren’t any. The film isn’t about taking sides; it’s about exposing the reality that racial tension are deeply rooted and complex, and no one action, no single "right thing," can fix it.

From a technical standpoint, this movie is RAD. The cinematography is dynamic, with every shot adding dimension to the characters' experiences. The music beats through the film, not just as a backdrop but as a force driving the narrative. It’s full of life-energy even in its darkest moments.

This story feels straight from the heart. He wasn’t afraid to tell the story he felt needed to be told. This is a film that everyone should watch, no matter where you stand, because the film itself doesn’t take a stance. It just asks you to listen and reflect. There is sooo much symbolism that I am still digesting. A couple scenes and shots I loved where; Mayor at night with the light post behind him, Radio's Love/Hate speech, and Mookie and Sal standing in front of the burnt down Pizzeria. These all touched on soo many different feels. Oh and Rosie Perez was amazing in this!

Ending the film with quotes from Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. was a powerful touch. It underscored the complexity of the issues, and by the end, I understood everyone’s pain. It’s tragic what happened... did it have to happen? They leave us to grapple with the inevitable question: what is the right thing? The tragedy at the film’s climax feels heartbreakingly inevitable with the cops, the rising heat and tension within the characters, and yet unnecessary. It’s this paradox that makes Do the Right Thing not just a film, but a reflection on the struggle for justice then and now.

Have a great Friday. Remember to be kind. You never know what people are going through.

xx

ames