When I first saw this movie in the early 90's it really didn't interest me, but I thought it was OK. After watching it again last night I realize it was still just OK, even though everybody else in the world thinks it is some kind of super movie here to bring the struggles and views of the poor black into the homes of the average American. But after some offhanded remarks and resultant discussion with the(Japanese) wife I realized that Mr. Lee may still be the giant egotist we all know and love but I don't believe this was directed so much towards the mainstream, as it was towards the poor black youth who blames all his troubles on everybody else and consequently acts with questionable wisdom. (not unlike the racial reversal Travolta film 'White Mans Burden')
Of course you can go on forever talking about how racism is bad, and stereotype this and negativity that, but as Mookie shows us what he doesn't learn, it all comes down to (money?) doing the right thing. This chronically late worker, not in school, absent father gets mad at the perceived wrong committed by his employer and incites a riot. While certainly being an easy thing to do, I can find no circumstance within the movie that justifies this as being the right thing to do. For the black youth looking for the right thing to do, the messages are pretty clear:
1. Get a job
2. Dont beat up the dorky white guy for accidently scuffing your devastatingly important Nikes
3. Be a little considerate and turn down the radio.
4. Sal and Co. aren't out to get you, and if you dont like em,
5. Save your money, open your own pizza shop, put whoever you want on the wall.
Lee expands on this further with 'Clockers', where the kid escapes from his block at the end. But for the majority of contemporary viewers I feel this movie just follows standard Hollywood formulas of: excessive foul language, (thankfully few) immature sexual references , and constant and unabated conflict that leaves you quite tired by the end of the film.
While this movie rates as only OK with me I gave it a '7' for the excellent acting and honest representation of peoples feelings towards situations that exists in Brooklyn today. I mean seriously, you can go to the Fulton Street Mall and watch a live reenactment of this movie everyday. Arab, Hispanic, and Italian shop owners dealing with the young black still acting up on the block.
if only the message had sunk in....
Of course you can go on forever talking about how racism is bad, and stereotype this and negativity that, but as Mookie shows us what he doesn't learn, it all comes down to (money?) doing the right thing. This chronically late worker, not in school, absent father gets mad at the perceived wrong committed by his employer and incites a riot. While certainly being an easy thing to do, I can find no circumstance within the movie that justifies this as being the right thing to do. For the black youth looking for the right thing to do, the messages are pretty clear:
1. Get a job
2. Dont beat up the dorky white guy for accidently scuffing your devastatingly important Nikes
3. Be a little considerate and turn down the radio.
4. Sal and Co. aren't out to get you, and if you dont like em,
5. Save your money, open your own pizza shop, put whoever you want on the wall.
Lee expands on this further with 'Clockers', where the kid escapes from his block at the end. But for the majority of contemporary viewers I feel this movie just follows standard Hollywood formulas of: excessive foul language, (thankfully few) immature sexual references , and constant and unabated conflict that leaves you quite tired by the end of the film.
While this movie rates as only OK with me I gave it a '7' for the excellent acting and honest representation of peoples feelings towards situations that exists in Brooklyn today. I mean seriously, you can go to the Fulton Street Mall and watch a live reenactment of this movie everyday. Arab, Hispanic, and Italian shop owners dealing with the young black still acting up on the block.
if only the message had sunk in....