Do The Right Thing Analysis

Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing observes inner city race relations in a Brooklyn neighborhood. The entire film takes place over the course of one day, as it also happens to be the hottest day of the year; not only is the weather hot, but racial tension is heated as well. The film follows a variety of characters representing different races, genders, and social classes. The movie centers upon the struggles and conflicts of race in the city as it focuses in on members of the community and whom they choose to align with.

The plot seems to jump all over the place from scene to scene, but the main location would have to be Sal’s pizzeria. A white middleclass man named Sal owns the store along with his sons, and even though he is white the store operates in a primarily black neighborhood serving almost only black customers. The movie presents

The color of the scene changes to a sepia shade (commonly seen in old photographs) to imply the historical significance of the restaurant, followed by slow music playing creating a depressing mood. The camera then begins to zoom in and create a feeling of intimacy and closeness between father and son as they discuss the restaurant’s future. Pino then suggests that they should move out of the neighborhood, as it’s not fit for them, but Sal replies saying “They grew up on my food and I’m very proud of that, you may think it’s funny but I’m very proud of that” establishing the pizzeria as his outlet of emotion followed by saying “Sal’s pizzeria is here to stay”. A member of neighborhood named Smiley then interrupts their conversation by banging on the window. Sal is friendly towards him, but the camera moves to follow Pino as he exits the pizzeria to yell at Smiley. This moving of the camera creates a distance between Sal and his son, which demonstrates that they don’t see eye to eye as Pino isn’t able to comprehend the significance the restaurant holds to his