AFI (2007) • AFI-096
Do the Right Thing
1989 • Spike Lee
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ABOUT THIS FILM
RUNTIME
120 min
FAMOUS QUOTE
“Fight the power!”
Spike Lee’s vibrant and provocative drama takes place over the course of a sweltering summer day in a Brooklyn neighborhood. As tensions simmer between residents of different backgrounds, small conflicts gradually escalate into a confrontation that forces the community to confront issues of race, identity, and justice. The film blends humor, music, and powerful social commentary to capture the rhythms of urban life. Lee’s energetic direction and ensemble cast create a vivid portrait of a neighborhood under pressure. Do the Right Thing remains one of the most influential American films addressing race relations.
Why it matters
- A defining work in the AFI canon, it showcases the craft of classical Hollywood storytelling (or its modern evolution) at a high level.
- Its influence shows up in later films—through structure, tone, or visual language—making it a useful reference point for how the medium developed.
- It endures because its core conflicts feel human and repeatable, letting new audiences find fresh meaning in familiar moments.
Watch for
- How the opening establishes tone and stakes—often more is set up visually than in dialogue.
- Key scenes where performance choices (pauses, glances, timing) do the emotional heavy lifting.
- Editing and transitions: notice what the film hides, what it reveals, and when it decides to do each.
Vibe
DramaUrban HeatRacial TensionCommunity PortraitBrooklyn SummerMoral CollisionPolitical FireColor and RhythmStreet-Level AngerSpike Lee Landmark
AFI RANK
1998: —
2007: #96