![]() ![]() Since graduating from N.Y.U.’s film school, in 1983, he has managed to get off three improbable shots, all lofted over the outstretched arms of the movie establishment-three movies, made and distributed, about black experience in America. It’s Spike Lee who’s the one-man team here: he’s also the writer, the producer, and the director of “Do the Right Thing,” and, as the most prominent black director in the American movie industry, he probably feels as if he were sprinting downcourt with no one to pass to and about five hundred towering white guys between him and the basket. Amiable Mookie as the divinely inspired Jordan-who plays basketball so brilliantly that it sometimes looks as if he didn’t need his teammates at all-is a bit of a joke. Mookie, the character Lee plays, is no superstar: he’s an ordinary young man who lives with his sister in a Bedford-Stuyvesant apartment, works-just hard enough to hang on to his job-at the pizzeria at the end of his block, and gets along pretty well with everybody. AND THAT'S THE DOUBLE TRUTH.In his first scene in “Do the Right Thing,” Spike Lee wears a Chicago Bulls jersey with a big “23” on it-Michael Jordan’s number. 'DO THE RIGHT THING' CHANGED THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD. I think Barack is a very smart man, because if he had taken Michelle to see 'Driving Miss Daisy,' things would have turned out a whole lot different: no Michelle, no black President. He came over and said, "You're responsible for me and Michelle getting together." Then he told me how they saw 'Do the Right Thing' on their first date and then went to Baskin-Robbins for ice cream and talked about it. SPIKE LEE: "There was a benefit for Barack Obama on Martha's Vineyard when he was running for the Senate. The final section is a facsimile of Spike's first draft screenplay, all 173 pages written in free hand! (Not that easy to read, but certainly original.)įor lovers of Spike's super joint, this is a must item: the photos alone are worth the price! The next two parts are devoted to photos (more than 200): a terrific spread of beautifully reproduced color stills from the film plus a selection of Bill Lee's color and b&w on-location and candid production stills. ![]() I was surprised to learn that a major influence for the film was Charles Laughton's masterpiece 'The Night of the Hunter'! The first is an extensive oral history of the film conducted by Jason Matloff with Lee and cast and crew discussing different aspects of the production. The book is basically made up of four parts. The film is even credited with bringing President Barack Obama and the First Lady together on their first date!Īs a memento of Spike Lee's brilliant and controversial 1989 film, this beautiful publication deserves high praise. Lee also wrote the screenplay, produced, and even starred in this deeply personal film, which was applauded for its commanding visuals provided by Danny Aiello and John Turturro, and an assertive soundtrack featuring Public Enemy's "Fight the Power." Including an unprecedented insider's look at the film, with behind-the-scenes visuals and interviews, this impressive book celebrates the impact of "Do The Right Thing" on our culture throughout the years. Both a critical and popular success, "Do The Right Thing" became a landmark film that brought serious issues in the African American community to light and established Lee as a major director in American cinema. Employing director Spike Lee's hometown of Brooklyn as the essential setting, this explosive film masterfully explores race and class relationships. Celebrating 25 years since its seminal debut, "Do The Right Thing" remains one of the most important and controversial films of its era. ![]()
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