An Unflinchingly Honest Examination of Race Relations in the United States: "Do the Right Thing"

This is part of a recurring series that appears on Fridays in which I review some of my all-time favorite movies.

Spike Lee's 1989 masterpiece, Do the Right Thing, is one of the most controversial movies ever made, a daring and brutally frank examination of racial tensions in the United States. At the time of the film's release, three years before the deadly Rodney King riots brought racial divides into frightening public view, America was mired in a position of conversational timidity and gridlock when it came to the issue of race. It was considered taboo to speak about race, and while overt forms of racism may have been less visible than they once were, subtle modes of racism still permeated society. The simmering tensions of race and the lack of open dialogue between the races urged Spike Lee to make a movie that exposed audiences to the raw truth of reality. Do the Right Thing is a film of astonishing honesty, and it angered many for its fearless depiction of racial tensions in New York City. Many labeled Do the Right Thing as recklessly incendiary and socially irresponsible. Such labels are woefully inaccurate. Here is a film of immense social importance, a film that challenges people to acknowledge the racial barriers that are still sadly a part of everyday life. Ultimately, the goal of Spike Lee's film is to engage the country in an honest conversation about race. Consequently, our country will become more understanding and tolerant. With open dialogue comes progress.

The film takes place on one insufferably hot summer day in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of New York City, introducing us to a myriad of culturally diverse characters. Mookie (Spike Lee) is an African-American pizza delivery man who lives in a predominantly black and Puerto-Rican neighborhood. Mookie works for a pizzeria owned by a stern Italian-American named Sal (Danny Aiello). Sal's son, a bigoted hothead who goes by the name of Pino (John Turturro), is a bitter man who harbors a disdain for the African-Americans in the community. Throughout the film, Spike Lee takes us inside the lives of many more characters, each one symbolizing the plethora of races, ethnicities, and cultures that the world has to offer. The devastating heat and humidity of the summer afternoon serves as a powerful metaphor for the racial tensions that are clearly about to explode at any moment.

The conclusion of Do the Right Thing, depicting a violent race riot that results in the destruction of Sal's pizzeria, has been the source of extraordinary argument and controversy. It is indeed difficult to watch. However, those who perceive the film's inclusion of a violent race riot as irresponsible are missing the point. "Do the Right Thing" forces us to confront a sad reality. In doing so, the film urges the public to speak openly about race, to acknowledge and appreciate each other's differences, and to foster racial cooperation and goodwill. The beauty of Spike Lee's film is that it does not judge its characters. Rather, it asks us to understand them, to understand the dangerous ramifications of a society that shies away from a conversation about race.

Spike Lee is one of our most thoughtful and intelligent filmmakers. He has made many great films, and Do the Right Thing is his magnum opus. Do the Right Thing features stunning performances and gorgeous cinematography, but the film's most enduring trait is its bravery in tackling an important, divisive issue. Do the Right Thing is a celebration of diversity that speaks to the necessity of engaging in a productive dialogue about race.

The Confluence of Celebrity and Privacy: "The Truman Show"

This is the first of a recurring series that will run on Fridays in which I feature a review of some of my all-time favorite movies.

In the age of Snooki and Kardashian, Charlie Sheen megalomania and Justin Bieber hysteria, Peter Weir's magnificent 1998 film, The Truman Show, has never been more timely. Here is a film that was remarkably prescient, a sharp and searing examination of our obsession with and embrace of a celebrity culture, for better or for worse. With a perfect mix of delightful comedy and sublime drama, The Truman Show is something of a miracle, a profound and exhilarating film that speaks to the essence of the crossroads between celebrity and privacy, fame and anonymity.

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Jim Carrey stars as Truman Burbank, an unfailingly ebullient and upbeat everyday American who is the unknowing subject of a hugely popular reality show that has filmed his life since birth. As far as Truman is concerned, he lives an ideal life, with a seemingly loving wife (Laura Linney), and a seemingly loyal friend (Noah Emmerich). Little does he know that everybody with whom he comes into contact is an actor following the orders of the obsessive creator of "The Truman Show" (Ed Harris). As the movie progresses, Truman becomes increasingly aware of the fictional world that surrounds him, and with the American public emotionally invested in his every move, Truman embarks on a journey to enter the real world and find his true belonging.

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A mere description of the plot does not do justice to this extraordinarily powerful film. The Truman Show is a life-affirming triumph that touches on some uncomfortable truths about our celebrity-hungry society. Every aspect of this movie shines. Peter Weir's direction is gorgeous and focused, and he astutely resists to urge to succumb to flashy directorial flourishes, instead letting the story speak for itself. Weir's direction is buoyed by the exemplary, innovative Andrew Niccol screenplay, and the superb acting. Jim Carrey gives the best performance of his accomplished career in the lead role, giving a beautifully nuanced, heartbreaking performance that should have earned him an Oscar nomination. Laura Linney and Noah Emmerich are outstanding as the actors posing as Truman's wife and best friend, respectively. And Ed Harris is brilliant as the creator who struggles to keep a firm grasp on Truman's life in the face of Truman's persistent desire to foray into reality.

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The Truman Show never strikes a false note. It is simultaneously funny, poignant, thought-provoking, devastating, and uplifting. I have seen The Truman Show many times, and at the end of each viewing, I bask in the glow of the film's emotional power. The Truman Show is a shining example of why I love the movies.