Do The Right Thing is intense. Characters swirl in and out juggling multiple story lines and perspectives while sitting smack in the middle of a racially mixed and charged neighborhood during a scorching summer day. Released in 1989, Do The Right Thing’s subject matter is as relevant now as ever, especially in regards to the aspect of police zealotry. It is both a time capsule of 80’s culture and a mirrored crystal ball for civil issues. The day’s soaring temp reflects the rising anger and racial tension to the point I was sweating just watching. There is fast talking, bombastic character commentary, and unsightly slurring that assaults the senses and bludgeons the viewer from a mindset of “this can’t really be how it is” to “well, now I feel like garbage and need to take a look at things”. This is a Spike Lee Joint that will mess you up but for the better.

Do The Right Thing is not a great cinematic spectacle. There are no awe-inducing special effects, no big name actors or actresses chewing through scenes like Oscar fuel, and no revolutionary original story. It was not even nominated for an Academy Award in Best Picture, and even if it was, I doubt it would have won against the competition of Driving Miss Daisy, Field of Dreams, Dead Poets Society, Born on the Fourth of July, and My Left Foot. I have only seen three of those but can confirm I would watch Field of Dreams, Dead Poets Society, or Born on the Fourth of July before Do The Right Thing. Unfortunately for Do The Right Thing, I like baseball, Robin Williams, and war-related movies though Do The Right Thing does give some focus to a baseball bat (no spoiler). Why then, does AFI have it in the top 100? Why should you watch this movie? Do The Right Thing takes a delicate subject matter, one that the United States has struggled with since its inception, and pushes it into societal consciousness. The movie grabs the viewer by the collar and pulls him or her down to street level to see tension, racism, and violence in a way that is, unfortunately, probably not exaggerated. All this is overlaid with vibrant characters and “colorful” dialogue. Do The Right Thing is a good movie that should be watched for the subject matter alone. Is it top 100 material? That is debatable, but it certainly does a fine job of educating and entertaining. Not many films can aim for that goal and pull it off.

Number 95 is The Last Picture Show, a new one for me.

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