Spike Lee, Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis

On a sweltering hot day in a Brooklyn neighborhood, everyone has their own issues to deal with and tensions between Blacks and Italians rise. Issues of pride and prejudice, justice and inequity come t...( read more  read more... )o the surface as hate and bigotry smoulder--finally building into a crescendo as it explodes into violence.

Flixster Users

86% liked it

63,788 ratings

Critics

98% liked it

49 critics

R, 120

Directed by: Spike Lee

Release Date: June 14, 1989

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DVD Release Date: June 30, 2009

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Stats: 3,188 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (3,188)


  • September 3, 2009
    Spike Lee was a bit up himself to act as the principle character and its a bit preachy in places too, that said this is still a great film, even if they perhaps didn't do the right thing!
  • July 9, 2009
    I remember watching this when it first came out and i loved it then and still love it now. This movie called on a lot of emotions. i laughed so hard, cried, was happy, pissed...and lot's more. In my opinion this is one of the work of Spike lee to date. Excellent story, excellent ...( read more)cast and another timeless piece. This should be a must see for everyone!!!!
  • April 3, 2009
    It's really hard to know what to make of this film. It's an undeniable snapshot of its time and place, rooted inextricably in Brooklyn in 1989. The environment of this film almost speaks louder than its plot, characters or undercurrent of racial tensions combined: its pervasive a...( read more)ttitudes and tight-knit community inform every other element in the story. I especially like the way all these tensions and grudges culminate and boil over on the hottest day of the year. The dialogue is a thing to behold and I love the way every character is tied to almost every other. Do The Right Thing is a movie about a chunk of people muddling through life, pissing each other off, showing deep love to each other and just trying to get by. Again, it's hard to sum up this film.
  • January 6, 2009
    I don't use the term "classic" lightly but, now that twenty years have past, it's time to give Do the Right Thing it's due.
  • September 18, 2008
    I insist, I know I say this a lot but this time I know I'm definitely right: this is one of the best movies I've seen in my entire life.

    The bravest, rawest, cruelest, most realistic, most compelling piece of art I will ever see.

    Spike Lee is a genius and he doesn't only adress...( read more) touchy subjects, he does it with such objectivity it's scary.

    Who's the man? He's the man!

    *Review coming soon*
  • November 17, 2009
    Great script, beautiful to look at, not at all overrated. I was kind of surprised, to be honest.
  • November 17, 2009
    One of Spike Lee's best and revolutionary in the issues it brings up. It brings bigotry, racism, stereotyping, poverty, and interracial relationships to a boiling point like no other film before it. There's so much great symbolism that it would take days to pick apart and fully a...( read more)nalyze. What is really the strength of this movie is it's writing and directing. Everything is dealt with so elegantly and smoothly and the shooting style adds to the claustrophobia of the characters. My only complaint, if any, is that some of the acting can be sub-par, but it only shows because everything else is so perfect.
  • October 29, 2009
    well i cant rate it if i cant freafin watch it!!
  • October 25, 2009
    Good flick, insane cast!
  • October 22, 2009
    One of my all-time favorites. Every time summer approaches, it makes me think of Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing. It's my idea of a classic.

Critic Reviews


January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Comes closer to reflecting the current state of race relations in America than any other movie of our time full review

View more Do the Right Thing reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • phantom1106
    July 13, 2007
    this movie was great and meaningful without straight out telling you the message.

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Do the Right Thing Trivia


  • In what movie does this convosation take place:- "There will come a time when you will have the chance to do the right thing!" "I love thoses moments, i like to wave at them as they pass by!"  Answer »
  • What movie is this quote from... "There will come a time when you have a chance to do the right thing..." "I love those moments. I love to wave at them as they pass by."  Answer »
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  • What movie did this line come from "Doctor, Always do the right thing"  Answer »

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