Do the Right Thing, 1989

Leaving the social element out of the criticism - a social element which remains controversial twenty years later - the movie impressed me most because of its intricate plotting. Aside from Danny Aiello's complex performance, the actors are content to let their characters be caricatures (a late 80's version of the Cosby kids, perhaps?), including Ossie Davis as the wino whose dialogue hints at glory days in the past, Ruby Dee as the wise older women, various middle-aged men who almost function as a chorus, and immature younger men. Lee carefully shows how a trivial incident can bake in the day's heat, until it erupts into a tragedy which destroys everyone involved. In retrospect, I do not think there was a wasted scene in the film. The meticulousness of the plotting does carry a price: the movie does start slow, and never really develops a quick pace. As to the acting, the cast is generally good (for caricatures). Real life (and lifelong) spouses Davis and Dee show real affection in their mutual invective. I think Lee might have done his film a service by casting someone other than himself as the moral linchpin (his range is limited, and his shtick gets old in a hurry). Watch for Martin Lawrence, not yet famous, in a small role.

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