Do the Right Thing: A Detailed Description
Storyline
Do the Right Thing is a 1989 film directed by Spike Lee, who also stars in the movie as Mookie, a young man living in the Bedford-Stuyvesant district of Brooklyn. The film takes place on one of the hottest summer days of the year and revolves around the lives of various characters in the neighborhood.
Characters
Mookie (Spike Lee): A delivery boy at Sal’s Famous Pizzeria who is often late and takes his job casually. He has a girlfriend, Tina (Rosie Perez), and a young son with her.
Sal Fragione (Danny Aiello): The Italian-American owner of Sal’s Famous Pizzeria, who has owned the business for 25 years. He is well-respected by the neighborhood but has a complex relationship with his sons, Pino (John Turturro) and Vito (Richard Edson).
Radio Raheem (Bill Nunn): A young man who lives for blasting Public Enemy’s Fight the Power on his boombox. He wears a love and hate four-fingered ring and is a central figure in the conflict that unfolds.
Buggin’ Out (Giancarlo Esposito): A young man who is offended by the lack of black faces on the wall of Sal’s pizzeria. He demands that Sal change the pictures, leading to a confrontation that escalates into violence.
Da Mayor (Ossie Davis): An old drunk who tries to win the approval and affection of the neighborhood matron, Mother-Sister (Ruby Dee).
Smiley (Roger Guenveur Smith): A mentally disabled man who constantly meanders about the neighborhood, holding up hand-colored pictures of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Plot Summary
The story begins with Mookie delivering pizzas on a sweltering summer day. The tension builds as Radio Raheem and Buggin’ Out march into Sal’s pizzeria, demanding that Sal change the pictures on the wall. Sal refuses, leading to a confrontation that ends with Sal destroying Radio Raheem’s boombox with a baseball bat. Radio Raheem is enraged and attacks Sal, sparking a fight that spills out into the street.
The police arrive, and Radio Raheem is killed in a chokehold by one of the officers. The crowd is enraged, and a tense moment ensues as they contemplate violence against Sal, Vito, and Pino. Mookie grabs a trash can and throws it through the window of Sal’s restaurant, turning the collective anger towards the property and away from the owners. The angry crowd becomes a riotous mob, rushes into the restaurant, and destroys everything within, while Smiley sets the restaurant on fire.
The mob begins to head for the Korean market, but Sonny, the owner, tries to fight them off with a broom, yelling that he is one of them: I no white I black You, me, same We same! The mob spares his store, and firefighters arrive to put out the fire.
The next day, Mookie returns to Sal, who is sitting in the remains of what was once his restaurant. Mookie demands his weekly pay, which Sal gives him by throwing it at him. Sal then fires Mookie, blaming him for starting the riot. The two eventually reconcile, and the film ends with Mister Senor Love Daddy (Samuel L. Jackson) announcing that the mayor of New York has founded a blue-ribbon committee to investigate the incident.
Themes and Symbolism
Do the Right Thing is a powerful exploration of racial tension, community, and the complexities of human relationships. The film delves into themes such as:
Racial Tension: The movie highlights the simmering racial tensions in the neighborhood, which boil over into violence. The confrontation at Sal’s pizzeria is a catalyst for the events that unfold.
Community: Despite their differences, the characters in the film are deeply connected to their community. The tragedy of Radio Raheem’s death brings them together in a moment of collective grief and anger.
Power Dynamics: The film examines the power dynamics at play in the neighborhood. Sal’s pizzeria is a central hub, and his refusal to change the pictures on the wall is seen as an act of disrespect by Buggin’ Out and the community.
Symbolism: Radio Raheem’s boombox and his love and hate ring are symbols of the struggle between good and evil. The boombox represents the power of music to bring people together, while the ring symbolizes the ongoing battle between love and hate.
Cast and Crew
Director and Writer: Spike Lee directed and wrote the film, which is widely regarded as one of his magnum opus.
Stars: The film features a talented cast, including Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Giancarlo Esposito, Spike Lee, Bill Nunn, John Turturro, Paul Benjamin, Frankie Faison, Robin Harris, Joie Lee, Miguel Sandoval, Rick Aiello, John Savage, and Samuel L. Jackson.
Famous Artists and Movie Posters
The movie poster for Do the Right Thing features a striking image of Spike Lee as Mookie, with the iconic boombox and the pizzeria in the background. The poster is a classic example of a film poster, designed to capture the essence of the film and draw in potential viewers. It is often framed as a print or canvas to adorn the walls of film enthusiasts and Spike Lee fans.
Impact and Legacy
Do the Right Thing has had a significant impact on American cinema. It was nominated for two Oscars and has won numerous awards, including several Independent Spirit Awards. The film’s exploration of racial tension and community has made it a landmark in the discussion of social justice and urban life.
The film’s influence can be seen in many subsequent movies and TV shows that tackle similar themes. It remains a powerful cautionary tale about the racial hatred that still lingers in America, and its message continues to resonate with audiences today.
Trivia and Goofs
Trivia: During the 1990 Oscar ceremony, Kim Basinger caused controversy when she mentioned Do the Right Thing as a film that tells the truth, sparking a moment of recognition for Spike Lee.
Goofs: The film contains a few goofs, including a bicyclist walking past a character on the left side of the screen, but the black mark on his shoe is on the right side.
Conclusion
Do the Right Thing is a masterpiece of contemporary urban life, directed by Spike Lee and starring a talented ensemble cast. The film’s exploration of racial tension, community, and power dynamics is both poignant and powerful. The movie poster, featuring Spike Lee as Mookie, is an iconic representation of the film’s themes and is often framed as a print or canvas to adorn the walls of film enthusiasts. This film continues to be a landmark in American cinema, offering a profound commentary on the complexities of human relationships and the ongoing struggle for social justice.
