Review – Do the Right Thing (1989) directed by Spike Lee.
Watched on June 12th, 2020
Rating: 5/5 Stars
2020 has been quite the year, to say the least. So much has happened. Some good things, but also a lot of bad things too. Lately, it tends to feel like the world is a bit on edge right now. From the global pandemic caused by Covid-19, to the less important matter of my senior year/end of high school being cut short which resulted in a fairly unconventional end to my time at the school I've grown up with since I was 3 years old, to the recent events surrounding George Floyd and the ongoing protests and riots in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. The latter of that list is what's in the spotlight as of now. Sparking from that initial incident between Floyd and the officer kneeling on and crushing his neck, it's caused a movement that has honestly taken the nation by storm. It has overpopulated social media, with donation and awareness posts swarming people's feeds and stories. It's been on the news, showcasing the video footage of peaceful protests and violent riots. And for some who, in the past, typically might have not been as vocal about certain political or non-political issues (myself included), it's causing them to take a stand on what they feel is right and to voice their opinions on the matter instead of staying silent. It's causing them to do the right thing.
This movie started off with such energy and personality to it, and it maintained that the whole time. Each and every scene seemed to be just breathing with life and culture. Whether it be in the foreground or the background, life was happening. I think that says a lot about society; life happens whether you directly notice it not. The acting truly made this movie's personality soar. Ossie Davis, Giancarlo Esposito, and Spike Lee truly give some fantastic performances; everyone involved with the project deserves a round of applause. The style of cutting between different parts of the block in NYC and showcasing different clicks of people I found to be very compelling. It made for a really enjoyable experience presented in a really engaging format. It truly made the movie come alive by following a narrative that came together like a puzzle. And not like the typical puzzle that's been pieced and stuck together. It's hard to explain, but it's almost like these different pieces or stories in this film remained somewhat unconnected, but it was clear to the puzzle solver that these pieces fit together. And I loved that. After a while, I was wondering where this movie would go with its style.
And then it happened.
It was a bit jarring and surreal to watch the end of this movie. It's shockingly resonant with the times we see today. In fact, minus a couple of specifics, this is exactly what's going on today. To be quite honest, I was watching this almost in disbelief as it played before me. This was made in 1989. That's over 30 years ago. Over 30 years of progression as a society and the ideas and concerns surrounding the age when this was made are the exact same ones that are happening today. It was chilling and really hit me watching the movie end. I find myself thinking about the comparisons and contrasts that can be juxtaposed between this work of art and our times today. What personally strikes me as the most outstanding difference is that today, it's become more than just a block on the street acting out for what they believe in. I'll say it again: this movement has taken the nation by storm. And to me, that's a fantastic thing. Sure, it's not ideal that an unjust tragedy is what sparked this long deserved and awaited uproar, but the fact that people are taking a stand on it is what matters in my eyes. I think it can really spark some positive change that, honestly, can change the world. It's like this quote my sister has loved for a long time:
"Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
-Mahatma Gandhi
The quotes that really hit me were the ones that concluded the film. I don't want to spoil the ending, but it resonated with me a lot. That's been a huge controversy surrounding these protests and riots in present day, and I think the quotes at the end of this movie encapsulated what this movement going on today should be about, and what it is about.
Sure, I think I loved this movie because of its eerie parallels with reality. Who knows what I would've thought if times were different right now. But that's how life is right now, and that's what makes this movie great. It's one thing to make an enjoyable movie (don't get me wrong, sometimes a purely enjoyable film is exactly what I need and what makes a good movie). But when a movie comes along and has something to say, and when that message is prevalent beyond its time and age, that's what makes a movie special. That's what makes a movie worth remembering, worth talking about, and worth watching. That's what makes cinema so fucking beautiful.
Always do the right thing.
