Film Analysis Worksheet: Do the Right Thing

Summary

  • IN ONE TO TWO SENTENCES, DESCRIBE WHAT FILM YOU ANALYZED FOR THIS PROJECT AND WHY YOU CHOSE IT
  • DELETE ALL OF MR. LE DUC’s ALL UPPERCASE INSTRUCTIONS ABOVE

Film Analysis

Film TitleDo the Right Thing
Year1989
DirectorSpike Lee
CountryU.S.A.
GenreComedy, Drama, Comedy/Drama
If you could work on this film (change it), what would you change and why?I would have established a slightly more positive relationship between Sal and Mookie from the get-go, as their relationship serves as an important emotional impact at the end of the film. I also feel as though Sal and his family (while suffering monetary damages) weren’t held responsible enough for the death of Raheem. I would have added some sort of conclusion that satisfies the need for justice.

Film information can be found at imdb.com

As you view films, consider how the cuts, camera angles, shots, and movement work to create particular meanings. Think about how they establish space, privilege certain characters, suggest relationships, and emphasize themes. In addition to shot distances, angles, editing, and camera movement, note details of the narrative, setting, characters, lighting, props, costume, tone, and sound.

Ask yourself the following questions:

TOPICYOUR NOTES
1. Who is the protagonist?Mookie
2. Who is the antagonist?Sal
3. What is the conflict?On a hot day in Brooklyn, tensions rise, and conflict sparks at a local pizzeria.
4. What is the theme or central, unifying concept? (summarize in one or two words)P
5. How is the story told (linear, non-linear, with flashbacks, flash-forwards, at regular intervals)
6. What “happens” in the plot (Brief description)?
7. How does the film influence particular reactions on the part of viewers (sound, editing,
characterization, camera movement, etc.)? Why does the film encourage such
reactions?
8. Is the setting realistic or stylized? What atmosphere does the setting suggest? Do particular objects or settings serve symbolic functions?
9. How are the characters costumed and made-up? What does their clothing or makeup reveal about their social standing, ethnicity, nationality, gender, or age? How do costume and makeup convey character?
10. How does the lighting design shape our perception of character, space, or mood?
11. How do camera angles and camera movements shape our view of characters or spaces? What do you see cinematically?
12. What is the music’s purpose in the film? How does it direct our attention within the image? How does it shape our interpretation of the image? What stands out about the music?
13. How might industrial, social, and economic factors have influenced the film? Describe how this film influences or connects to a culture?
14. Give an example of what a film critic had to say about this film. Use credible sources and cite sources.Example: “The Shawshank Redemption Movie Review (1994) | Roger Ebert.” All Content. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 June 2015.
15. Select one scene no longer than 5 minutes that represents well the whole film and shows relevant cinematic elements. Write a one-sentence description of the scene and record the time of the scene.Example: from 1:05:00 to 1:10:00.Explain why you chose this scene.PLACE THE TIME STAMP FROM THE SCENE HERE… Example: 00:00:00 – 00:05:00 
16. In the selected scene: write a sentence for each of the elements below to justify why this scene best represents the film:
a. Screenwriting:Lots of vulgar language and vocal expressions of dismay and anger. An interesting bridge between their being angry and a more normal conversation.

Malcolm X vs MLK
b. Sound Design:Really evident attention to the broken glass and debris from Sal’s shop as he throws the money at Mookie
c. Camera Movements/Angles:Shaky single shots during the argument, a low double shot that brings them back to normal.

Sal against a mural backdrop of multiculturalism
d. Light Setup:Natural mid-day lighting, emphasizes the heat wave
e. Soundtrack/Score:Jazz during an argument, symphony music during the resolution
18. What’s the socio-cultural context of this film?In the wake of ever-present racism and racial violence in the 80s and 90s New York, Do the Righ Thing presents a film that is meant to e the issues of the time. The dichotomy of Malcolm X vs Martin Luther King Jr highlights how racial violence and self-defense are presented in the film.

(inspired by the killing of Michael Griffith in 1986)

This worksheet was developed with ideas from many IB Film teachers, thus should remain in the Creative Commons\

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