Do The Right Thing

"Do the Right Thing" is a remarkable 1989 American comedy-drama film, with Spike Lee directing, producing, and writing the movie. The setting of the film is in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, taking place over the course of a sweltering summer day.

The movie features a diverse cast of characters trying to navigate the difficulties of living and working in a neighborhood marked by racial tensions. Spike Lee plays the protagonist Mookie, a young man working as a pizza delivery boy for Sal's Famous Pizzeria, owned by Danny Aiello's Italian-American character, Sal.

Throughout the day, tensions between the predominately black residents and Sal's family and friends rise to the surface, culminating in a violent confrontation. The film is a compelling commentary on race relations, police brutality, and the complex escalation of seemingly minor incidents into catastrophic events.

Aside from Lee's outstanding performance as the protagonist, the audience is also impressed with the supporting cast - including Samuel L. Jackson. Jackson's role in "Do the Right Thing" is that of Mister Señor Love Daddy, a radio DJ who serves as a sort of narrator for the film. He broadcasts from his studio in the neighborhood, playing music and making observations about the events unfolding on the street below.

Jackson's performance is truly the highlight of the film, as he imbues the character with a smooth charisma and a keen sense of humor. His voice,deep and authoritative, lends a gravitas to his words, making them all the more powerful.

The cinematography of the movie, by Ernest Dickerson, is stunning, capturing the vibrancy of the neighborhood and the oppressive heat of the summer day. Furthermore, Spike Lee's direction is also impressive, balancing humor and drama in a way that feels genuine and emotionally affecting.

Release: 1989

Cast: Spike Lee, Danny Aiello, John Turturro, Samuel L. Jackson

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%