Do The Right Thing Analysis

Spike Lee did a phenomenal job in creating a film that can spark an endless amount of thoughts and emotions. He has left a message behind the film, which can be interpreted in various ways. Some may even say it has been one of the most controversial films. Lee does an excellent job in reproducing the current state of racism in America, than in most movies. The movie takes place on one of the hottest days in a neighborhood of Brooklyn. This is a black neighborhood, but Sal (Danny Aiello), has a famous pizzeria that he claims the whole neighborhood has grown up on. As the temperature rises, the tension begins to grow and explodes in racial violence. Lee THESIS
The cinematography in “Do the Right Thing” is specifically directed in a way that stresses the racial conflicts among the characters. The different types of camera angles help express the relations between characters by using distance and movement. Radio Raheem (Bill Nunn), is a prime example due to the firm angles used when portraying his personality. The cinematographer would always zoom into Raheem’s radio, and then quickly make its way to his upper body. This camera technique helps convey his personality and show the respect he …show more content…
What was the right thing? The film leaves us with a question and potential answers, but leaves it up to the viewer to decide how they will individually answer. The film shows the difference of love and hate, and violence and non-violence. Spike Lee provides characters that resemble either side. Buggin’ Out (Giancarlo Esposito) demonstrates the more violent side, as Mookie’s sister, signifies love and non-violence. She informs Buggn’ Out that he should focus on turning his energy and instead of being violent, turn it into a positivity. Mookie is used to the endless racial insults, and looks, but it was when his friend, Radio Raheem, is a real victim of it, that he chooses to do something about