Do the Right Thing, D. Crawford

            

Do the Right Thing by Spike Lee was a film with very mixed views and opinions. Spike Lee has always been known for his different styles of filmmaking and plots. His ideas and perceptions of “what is and what was” are shown throughout many of his modern day and current day films. “Of course some of the characters are sympathetic and others are hateful. And of course some of the likable characters do bad things. Isn’t that the way it is in America today?” Ebert on his interpretation of Do the Right Thing. When you look at Spike Lee’s artistic style, camera, and shot angles, shadows, and sound, what stands out more than anything is the acting. Like Ebert reflected on, the acting done in this film can be reflected upon what America really is. Spike Lee directed this film in order to better portray what were current events during that time, and his views on America. When viewing this film to many viewers, as well as myself this film had no since of direction or plot. In many cases with the stereotypes and racist remarks throughout the film it looked as if Spike Lee placed actors, and actresses together and told them to “be themselves”. As a viewer, when the plot began to move in more of linear direction you start to see how powerful this film really was and the genius ideas of Spike finally coming to life. Spike directed this film in order for the viewer to have his or her own interpretation. Unlike many other films where the majority of the time the film is straight forward to the point, where at the end one either liked the film or hated it. This particular film was either liked or hated because of what it represented, not because of how it was directed or produced.

Throughout the film you see many Korean immigrants, Latinos, African Americans, Whites, and Italians living in one community together, a “black community” as Buggin’ Out stated in the film. I think this film is so powerful because it showed the many problems that went on between different races at that time and the struggles America went through to become “one”.  You watch as many African Americans gave police officers stern hard looks throughout the film “what a waste” which was displayed by close up and extreme close up shots to show the hatred they had for each other. The film cinematography effectively added definition to the plot and linear direction the film was moving in. Spike Lee used the weather to help show how significant temperature played with the actions and attitudes of people. Typically hot weather called for many angry people “hot tempered” as if the good in them was sucked out. Warm and bright colors were displayed throughout the film, vibrant red, yellow, and orange displayed in almost every scene and surrounded every character. “In both School Daze and Do the Right Thing, those words Wake Up, are aimed directly at the movies characters and audiences” Emerson wrote. Lee uses his films as a voice to the public. Wake up, a meaning in my opinion that can still be used today as it was by Lee back then to the public. Desson Howe explains how Spike Lee uses race in New York and stereotypes, along with political messages and gripping drama to develop a film with “sheer power and originality”. In my opinion Lee used camera angles more than anything to help create such a masterpiece of work.

The scene that stood out to me the most was when Sal broke Radio Raheem’s radio in the pizza shop. The first thing that stood out to me was the music. I noticed how Spike Lee used background music “hip hop” during the most important or significant scenes in the movie. Inside the pizza shop you notice Spike use low angle shots when Raheem’s face was displayed to help give him a more intimidating look. You see extreme close up and mid angle shots during the argument between Sal, Raheem, and Buggin’ Out at the counter. We are able to see many cuts throughout this scene to help display the setting and the environment around the argument. I noticed mid shots of the background characters and sometimes a zoom on the characters faces. The movie went from bright colors, sunny, and clear to the inside of the pizza shop, which were dark shadows, and a blur of pictures and colors on the wall. As soon as Sal broke the radio it was complete silence as if the broken radio symbolized the broken hearts of African Americans at that time. Music was something that African Americans were able to easily relate to, and was something that was part of their culture. Once Sal broke the radio it was almost like something went missing in the lives of the characters.

Works Cited

·      Ebert, Roger.  "Do The Right Thing."  Rogerebert.com.  Chicago Sun Times, 30 June 1989. Web.  8 July 2013.  

·      Emerson, Jim.  "Do The Right Thing."  Cinepad.com.  Web.  8 July 2013.

·      Howe, Desson.  “Do The Right Thing."  Washingtonpost.com.  Washington Post, 30 June 1989. Web.  8 July 2013.