Do the Right Thing Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Pizza delivery guy throws a trash can, and everyone loses their minds on a hot day, proving that maybe we should all just stay inside with the AC.

🍿 Do the Right Thing: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Day in Bed-Stuy

The film unfolds on the hottest day of summer in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. We are introduced to a vibrant cast of characters, including Mookie, a young delivery man for Sal’s Famous Pizzeria; Sal, the Italian-American owner of the pizzeria; and various residents of the neighborhood, each dealing with the oppressive heat in their own way. Samuel L. Jackson plays Mister Señor Love Daddy, the local DJ, setting the tone and providing commentary on the day’s events.

The Wall of Fame

Tensions begin to rise when Buggin’ Out, a neighborhood activist, takes issue with Sal’s ‘Wall of Fame,’ which only features Italian-American actors. Buggin’ Out believes that because Sal’s Pizzeria is located in a predominantly Black neighborhood, the wall should reflect the community it serves. He attempts to organize a boycott, but finds little support initially, as many residents have been loyal customers of Sal’s for years. This sparks the core conflict around representation and community identity.

Escalation

The conflict escalates when Radio Raheem, known for blasting Public Enemy’s ‘Fight the Power’ on his boombox, joins Buggin’ Out’s protest. An argument ensues between Radio Raheem and Sal over the loud music in the pizzeria. Sal, pushed to his limit, destroys Radio Raheem’s boombox with a baseball bat. This act ignites a physical altercation that spills out onto the street and attracts a large crowd. This event is the tipping point of the movie.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mookie (Spike Lee): A young pizza delivery man, Mookie is stuck between his responsibilities and the racial tensions escalating in his Brooklyn neighborhood.
• Sal (Danny Aiello): Sal is the Italian-American owner of a pizzeria, a long-standing fixture in a predominantly Black neighborhood, whose values are challenged as tensions rise.
• Radio Raheem (Bill Nunn): Radio Raheem is a neighborhood presence defined by his boombox and his ‘love’ and ‘hate’ rings, becoming a tragic figure in the escalating conflict.
• Buggin Out (Giancarlo Esposito): Buggin’ Out is an outspoken and frustrated resident who instigates conflict over the lack of representation of Black figures in Sal’s pizzeria.
• Pino (John Turturro): Pino, Sal’s eldest son, harbors deep-seated racist beliefs and resentment towards the Black community, fueling the film’s racial tensions.
• Da Mayor (Ossie Davis): Da Mayor is the neighborhood’s sometimes-ineffectual sage, offering advice and attempting to mediate the growing conflict while grappling with his own history.
• Mister Señor Love Daddy (Samuel L. Jackson): Mister Señor Love Daddy is the local radio DJ who serves as a commentator and voice of reason, observing the escalating tensions in the community.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Radio Raheem: “Let me tell you the story of Right Hand, Left Hand. It’s a tale of good and evil. Hate! It was with this hand that Cain iced his brother. Love! These five fingers, they go straight to the soul of man.” – Radio Raheem explains the symbolism of his ‘Love’ and ‘Hate’ rings, illustrating the constant battle between positive and negative forces.
• Buggin Out: “Yo, Sal, how come there ain’t no brothers on the wall?” – Buggin Out questions Sal about the lack of black representation on the pizzeria’s Wall of Fame, initiating the central conflict.
• Sal: “Get your own place! You do what you want to do! This is my place, I do what I want!” – Sal defends his right to display only Italian-American heroes in his pizzeria, asserting his ownership and cultural pride.
• Da Mayor: “Always do the right thing.” – Da Mayor’s recurring advice serves as a moral compass, prompting characters (and viewers) to consider their actions.
• Mister Señor Love Daddy: “And that’s the truth, ruth.” – Mister Señor Love Daddy’s catchphrase after broadcasting on the radio.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $6.5M
• Domestic Gross: $27.5M
• Worldwide Gross: $37.3M

💥 Do the Right Thing Reviews

Personal Review

Every time I watch the film, I still find new layers and nuances. It sparks conversations and makes me reflect on my own views and biases. Movies like this are important, they do not come along very often.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Spike Lee’s films”
  • “Those interested in films about race relations and social justice”
  • “Viewers who appreciate thought-provoking and ambiguous stories”
  • “People interested in 1980s New York culture”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language and racial slurs”
  • “Violence and police brutality”
  • “Mature themes and subject matter”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Spike Lee’s ‘Do the Right Thing’ is a masterpiece of social commentary, a vibrant and unflinching look at race relations in America. The film’s intensity and relevance have only grown with time.
• RogerEbert.com: “A landmark film that dared to address the complexities of race with honesty and nuance. ‘Do the Right Thing’ is a powerful experience that stays with you long after the credits roll.
• Entertainment Weekly: “Lee’s vibrant, energetic film captures the simmering tension of a Brooklyn summer and explores themes of community, identity, and justice. The film has enduring power that resonates today.

Audience Reactions

The film’s unflinching portrayal of racial tensions and complexities resonated deeply with viewers.: Audiences lauded the film’s boldness, relevance, and thought-provoking exploration of difficult subjects.

Samuel L. Jackson’s performance as Mister Señor Love Daddy was a standout, bringing depth to the story.: Many viewers appreciated how the movie handles many difficult topics with a unique style.

Overall Consensus: ‘Do the Right Thing’ is a powerful, thought-provoking film that remains relevant and impactful, sparking important conversations about race and society.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Original Screenplay)- 1989

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Spike Lee intentionally used a vibrant color palette, dominated by reds, oranges, and yellows, to visually amplify the feeling of oppressive heat and simmering tension throughout the film.”
• “The role of Radio Raheem was specifically written for Bill Nunn after Spike Lee was impressed by his performance in ‘School Daze’.”
• “During the film’s release, it sparked intense debate and controversy, with some critics accusing Lee of inciting racial tensions, while others praised him for his honest portrayal of complex social issues.”
• “The film’s iconic theme song, ‘Fight the Power’ by Public Enemy, became a cultural anthem, reflecting the frustrations and anger felt by many in the African-American community.”
• “The ending, where Mookie throws a trash can through Sal’s Pizzeria window, was deliberately ambiguous, intended to spark discussion and force viewers to confront their own beliefs about race and justice.”

🖥️ How to Watch Do the Right Thing?

Do the Right Thing is available for purchase or rental on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for broadcast options. It is often included in streaming service catalogs, so check services such as Criterion Channel or similar platforms that feature classic and independent films.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Do the Right Thing, you might like these similar films:

• Boyz n the Hood (1991): A coming-of-age story set in South Central Los Angeles, exploring similar themes of race, violence, and community within the African-American experience.
• Crash (2004): An ensemble drama examining racial and social tensions in Los Angeles through interconnected storylines, similar to the multi-faceted perspective in ‘Do the Right Thing’.
• Jungle Fever (1991): Also directed by Spike Lee, this film explores the complexities and prejudices surrounding interracial relationships.
• Blindspotting (2018): A modern take on race relations in Oakland, California, dealing with gentrification, police brutality, and identity, with a similar blend of humor and social commentary.
• La Haine (1995): A French film depicting the lives of marginalized youth in the banlieues of Paris, exploring themes of police brutality, social unrest, and the cyclical nature of violence, similar to the tensions portrayed in ‘Do the Right Thing’.

🛒 Do the Right Thing Related Products

• Do the Right Thing (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A meticulously restored Blu-ray edition with special features, including interviews, documentaries, and essays, providing deeper insights into the film’s creation and impact.
• Fight the Power: Public Enemy’s Greatest Hits: A digital download of Public Enemy’s greatest hits, including the iconic ‘Fight the Power’ which is prominently featured in the movie.
• Do the Right Thing – Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the iconic movie poster. Great for home decoration.
• T-shirt ‘Do the Right Thing’: Show your love for Spike Lee’s movie by wearing a T-shirt that references the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

Do the Right Thing features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Fight the Power” – performed by Public Enemy
• “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” – performed by Take 6
• “Don’t Believe the Hype” – performed by Public Enemy

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

What Happened In DO THE RIGHT THING??!! (1989) PRIMM’S HOOD CINEMA

Curious about the deeper meaning behind Spike Lee’s classic film? This in-depth analysis digs into the film’s themes, characters, and cultural significance, offering fresh perspectives and insights.

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