With the recent anniversary of Spike Lee’s incontestable classic Do the Right Thing coming up under the media spotlight, it felt fitting that my first film blog review should be a Spike Lee ‘joint’.
Produced only two years after DTRT Lee continues in his examination of racial tensions in contemporary America. A theme that would continue to be explored again and again in Lee’s oeuvre.
It has been widely reported that upon the release of DTRT many government officials lobbied for the film not to be shown in theatres, fearing that it would spark violence and revolt in the black community. Whilst of course this was ridiculous, it said something for the raw power of the film. (Apparently pizza parlours across American genuinely sought security reinforcements!)
Though Lee clearly has something to say in the film (that being that interracial relationships are plagued with difficulties) the message is debased by the lack of subtlety employed. Instead of simply allowing the audience to feel and experience the tensions between Flipper and Angie, we are repeatedly told about them directly from the characters. A grave symptom of lazy and obtuse screenwriting.
The film is, however, interspersed with fleeting moments of brilliance. The most memorable scene being Gator’s baleful last dance, wonderfully performed by the always-impressive Samuel L Jackson. (see video below)
Overall the film felt messy and weak – both in vision and message. It lacks the vitality of DTRT and unlike its predecessor, it feels completely jaded in 2009.
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