“How come you ain’t got any brothers on the wall?” Buggin’ Out, a local African American customer asks Sal Fragione, the owner of Sal’s Pizzeria. This is just the start of the 1989 classic, “Do the Right Thing.” The film is rated R for explicit language and adult themes. “Do the Right Thing” covers themes of racial inequality, police brutality and the consequences of unresolved social tensions, with hoards of comedic relief throughout the 120-minute run time.
“Do the Right Thing,” directed by Spike Lee, is a film set in Brooklyn on a sweltering summer day. The story follows Mookie, a young Black man who works as a pizza delivery guy for Sal, an Italian-American who owns a pizzeria in a predominantly Black neighborhood. Tensions rise throughout the day due to racial friction between the community and Sal’s family, and the situation escalates when one of the neighborhood’s residents, Radio Raheem, is killed during an altercation with police.
New York in 1989 was a vastly different scene compared to its current status as a modern, thriving hub of business and one of the biggest and most famous cities in the world. Mookie, the pizza delivery guy, somehow keeps his job despite being about as motivated as a sloth on sleep depressants. Sal’s Pizzeria’s menu on this hot bothering day includes: pizza, racial tension and a side of temper tantrums.
Mookie
A young laid-back pizza delivery guy working at Sal’s Pizzeria. He’s just trying to make a living, keep his boss happy and not get caught up in the drama. Spoiler alert, he becomes more than immersed in it.
Sal
Sal is a proud Italian-American pizzeria owner. He is stuck in the past, only choosing American-Italians to frame on his wall all over his pizzeria. Sal puts up with a tough crowd of bored and irritating customers such as Buggin’ Out.
Buggin’ Out
Buggin’ Out is the guy who can’t let anything slide, especially not the fact that Sal’s Pizzeria doesn’t have a single Black person on its Wall of Fame. He’s got opinions, he’s got no reason or cause, but he sure is not going to let it go without causing an unnecessary scene.
Radio Raheem
Radio Raheem is the human boombox, who is all about peace, love and turning up the volume so loud you can’t hear yourself think until the cops show up and things go way too far. His death later in the film highlights a major concern in this classic.
The Three Thinkers
Three men who make fun of the Korean store across the street are a trio of clowns and “wannabes.” They mock the store and its owner, Mr. Sen, constantly, acting like they’re some kind of neighborhood comedians. Ironically, they say it’s a shame that the Korean man has set up a business in “their” neighborhood and complain to each other for hours. They proceed to go into the store and buy beer.
Throughout the day, director Spike Lee emphasizes the constant racial tension that leads to the death of Radio Raheem. The death of Radio Raheem unexpectedly sent out a powerful message as the film mainly centered on small jokes and tension relievers.
If you like your films with a dash of comedy, a lot of heart and the kind of chaos that comes from being too hot to think straight, this movie’s for you! Bring a fan as you’ll be sweating just watching it.
