Do The Right Thing - Aniela Schaefer

There are so many different aspects of this film that it is difficult to pick just one. Howe focuses on the heat, literal and metaphorical, that is such a pivotal point to the film. Continuously throughout it is being thrown at us that temperatures are rising (newspapers, radio, Sal vs Mookie, etc.). All of this combines into the final element of fire, bringing us to the climax and then simmering down to the embers that were once there at the very beginning.

Emerson touches on the very heart of the film in his review, pointing out the message that couldn’t be any clearer: America needs to wake up. I did find it interesting however that right afterwards Mookie wakes up to a mind that is only on making money. For me, this confuses the message that was almost beautiful in its simplicity. Is that what we all need to wake up to? That we need money?

 In the final review, Erbert comments on the second key concept: they ability for love and hate to exist at the same time and how quickly one can turn into the other. This couldn’t be closer to the truth in this movie and if you don’t believe me, take a look at what happened to Sal.

Although camera angle plays a large part in this film (Oblique angles, close up, shooting from underneath) for me, the big success was the use of color. I honestly didn’t care for Do The Right Thing but the colors used and the photography were undeniably stunning. They helped convey emotion in a way that I hadn’t seen before, always holding more than one symbolic meaning. A big example of this would be all of the rich reds which is symbolic of both love and violence, going back to what this film is all about in the end.

My favorite scene was Da Mayor talking to Mother Sister from the street while she is up in the window. The use of oblique angle helps to further the distance between them, making the ending when they’re on the same level have that much more of an impact. It helps to convey status and neighborhood opinion. She is respected and is almost placed on a pedestal for her wisdom while he is the drunk that is no better than dirt to most of the inhabitants of the neighborhood.