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Year One
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.
Do The Right Thing
Universal acclaim
Based on 15 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 42 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Drama
Written by: Spike Lee
Directed by: Spike Lee
Release Date:
Theatrical: June 30, 1989
DVD: July 21, 1998
Running Time: 120 minutes, Color
Origin: USA
Summary
RATING: R
Starring Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Richard Edson, Giancarlo Esposito, Spike Lee, and John Turturro
Set on the hottest day of the summer, the film examines various personal, social and economic issues through the eyes of an ensemble of neighborhood characters on a Bedford Stuyvesant block in Brooklyn.
Also On Metacritic
FILM: 25th Hour 4 Little Girls Bamboozled Clockers Crooklyn Girl 6 He Got Game Inside Man Jim Brown: All American Malcolm X She Hate Me Summer of Sam The Original Kings of Comedy
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Los Angeles Times Sheila Benson
Stirred up impassioned debate everywhere; it would seem the greatest compliment that could be paid a stunning entertainment. [30 June 1989, Calendar, p.6-1]
Chicago Tribune Gene Siskel
This is a sumptuous work, from its unconventional title sequence of a woman dancing hard in the streets to its provocative ending with conflicting quotes from Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr .[30 June 1989, Friday, p.A]
Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert
It comes closer to reflecting the current state of race relations in America than any other movie of our time.
Read Full Review >San Francisco Chronicle Judy Stone
Has more originality, nitty-gritty humor, spirit and spunk than all the summer blockbuster retreads combined. Underneath the jousting and jiving, there's a sharp, uncompromising look at the anatomy of a race riot in the movie. [30 June 1989, Daily Notebook, p.E3]
The New York Times Vincent Canby
A remarkable piece of work. [30 June 1989]
Washington Post Desson Thomson
There's no doubt about the film's sheer power and taut originality.
Read Full Review >Mr. Showbiz Carmel Dagan
Witty portrait of a troubled community.
USA Today Mike Clark
This is a fascinating movie experience. [30 June 1989, Life, p.1D]
Washington Post Hal Hinson
A movie made by filmmaker working in sync with his times -- an exciting, disturbing, provocative film.
Read Full Review >TV Guide Staff (not credited)
It is a subtle and humane entertainment with a refreshingly serious view of the world.
Read Full Review >The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Rick Groen
Lee has forged a work of art in the classic sense -- art that delights and instructs.
Read Full Review >Chicago Reader Jonathan Rosenbaum
This is a powerful and persuasive look at an ethnic community and what makes it tick.
Read Full Review >Variety Staff (Not credited)
Combines a forceful statement on race relations with solid entertainment values.
Read Full Review >The New Republic Stanley Kauffmann
There's a great deal in black America that has yet to reach the screen, and Lee is a prime candidate, in gift and gall, to help fill the gap. [July 3, 1989]
Time Richard Corliss
To accept the film, though, one must first understand its point of view, and that is maddeningly difficult. All we know for certain is that Do the Right Thing is not naturalistic. [July 3, 1989]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 7.9 (out of 10) based on 42 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Elton T. gave it a1:
I was forced to watch this movie for a school assignment. I was excited to see it because of the reviews that it had. To say the least I was totally disappointed. I thought it was poorly written and directed. Worse yet the theme of the movie only encourages the rift between races.
D A. gave it a9:
One of the most brilliantly made movies of our time. Balances the fine line between entertainment and art masterfully. THE definitive movie about race relations. This movie must be watched by all, as it is still relevant in the world today. And to viewers like Kaity M., go watch any of the crap Hollywood spews out on a regular basis. Im guessing this movie went straight over your head. It's not supposed to be an inspirational movie that makes you want to do something about racial activism. It's supposed to be about portraying race relations between those that wish to not understand each other, and act on stereotypical views that one holds in deep within themselves.
Alex Q. gave it a10:
This invigorating and thought provoking tale beautifully discusses an issue that has plauged America since its creation, race. Overall, this remains as Spike Lee's best film to date, along with When the Levees Broke, a touching documentary that bleeds of realism about how the survivors dealt with Hurricane Katrina, and Malcolm X, a fascinating biopic. John Turturro (who would later co-star in another good movie He Got Game) and Danny Aiello were convincingly brilliant in their roles, and Radio Rahim was another good character central to the theme of the movie. Also loved their soundtrack, headlined by Public Enemy, who is one of the best hip-hop groups of all-time. Overall a gripping story that deals with race relations in the heart of the city.
Kelly J. gave it a10:
This movie is a fantastic look at what race relations are like in areas where there is diversity and heavy interaction. It's real and it's right on the mark.
Marquez W. gave it a10:
I loved this film and felt that it was right up there with Malcolm X and the 25th Hour as one of his best films to date, if not the best.
Briyanna M. gave it a10:
This movie was great and it talks a lot about racial profiling.
Less_Success gave it a9:
This is great movie simply because everything is so grey. It will have you considering who is right or wrong for days after you see it for the first time. It really forces you to examine a difficult situation and decide for yourself who you think made the right decisions.
