Do The Right Thing

So in a fit of old person confusion, my dad bought me a Spike Lee box set last week, thinking
it included one of my favorite movies Spike Jonze's Being John Malkovitch. Last night I decided to break the set open, because, embarrassingly, I've never seen Do The Right Thing. And it is as good as everyone says.

I was expecting something heavy handed, I was ready with the excuse that it was revolutionary for the time, but this film needs no excuses, it's just GREAT. Everything, the variety of camera angles and filming techniques, the casual yet totally tight dialogue, the malleable message, letting you take away what you will. The juxtaposition of MLK and Malcolm X, and the water spraying from the fire hydrant and from the fire hoses.

The film refuses to villianize anyone, it doesn't make it easy for the audience to take sides, it forces the audience to confront their feelings about a totally unpleasant situation. And I'm totally in awe that Lee wrote, directed, produced and starred in this when he was so young. I lovvvvved this, and cannot wait to continue my Spike Lee marathon!