Do the Right Thing Ending Explained: Did Mookie Do the Right Thing? 

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I legit never noticed Mookie saying Hate before throwing the trash can, changes everything.

Do The Right Thing, and this scene in particular, has been on my mind for the past week.

I just noticed something , I cannot believe I never noticed before , at the end of the movie after Sal's Pizzeria is burnt to the ground, it is obvious Mookie does not have a job, yet still puts on his uniform to pick up his paycheck

My favorite movie of all time. I could watch it on a loop and never get tired of it. You don’t feel like you’re watching a movie when you watch it; you feel like you’ve wandered into a neighborhood that has lived and breathed long before you came in … and will live and breathe long after you leave.

The wrong thing to do, is to do nothing. Dr. King and Malcolm X both stated so. Such a brilliant piece of filmmaking.

Made in 1989 and its still relevant almost 30 years later

Spike's most powerful film to this day---best part about it is that it gives you NO clear answers--you have to ultimately decide for yourself.

They forgot to mention that do the right things is a quote by Malcom X. "You gotta to do the right thing" In french Canada no one debate if he did the right thing because the movie title was translated to "Crazy pizza place"

It is so weird that Gus Fring is Buggin' Out in this movie.

One more thing to point out, although Mookie throws the garbage can thru the window, he does not take part in the actual looting and destruction of Sal's. The shot of him and his sister on the curb, and his look, I think he was even shocked by his reaction. A brilliant film, one that is still powerful.

When I first saw Mookie grab the trash can, I thought he was going to slam it on the ground to silence everyone and then start monologuing about how this pointless conflict took the life of his friend.

Did he do the right thing? Technically, no. But I might’ve done the same had I been in his position. Plus, his friend was killed in front of his face, so he was emotional. Most people who look at this movie are using logic. Emotion is irrational and doesn’t respond to logic.

I remember in high school I watched this and wondered what it meant. That was like in 2011? YEARS later, i find myself rewatching it again. Man. It hits differently when you start absorbing things when you've become more mature.

When I first saw this movie in school, it was way above my head. This analysis has been awesome. I understand this movie in a new way.

One of the all-time biggest snubs for best picture.

Moral gray areas like Mookie’s decisions, or Raheem’s radio blasting, or even Sal breaking the radio, aren’t what should be focused on. Yes, some of those actions are wrong and helped the tensions to rise, but let’s face it. A riot was going to break out no matter what. It didn’t matter if it was then, it didn’t matter if Sal obliged and hung black pictures on the wall, the tensions would still be there. That’s why we should focus on the police’s definite wrong actions of killing Raheem, and the general racism that caused these tensions, not the straw that broke the camel’s back.

The genius of the ending is that it makes you question whether you reacted more strongly to the burning down of a pizzeria or the unjust death of a man. Why? What does that mean about you?

Radio Raheem saying 'Static' at that time doesn't mean not changing, it means, conflict.

This video is the best answer to why the nationwide riots are currently occurring.

This channel doesn't get the recognition it deserves

I saw the movie when it originally came out years ago and just haven't had the stomach to see it again. It's a good movie, but hits too close to home. My 18 year old, honor-student-athlete nephew, died by the hands of police officers who claimed they were "in fear for their lives", when they pulled him over for a tail light 15 years ago. As Karma would have it, 1 cop died of cancer that slowly let the hate and rot inside of his body kill him. And another died from suicide because he was getting ready to go to prison for killing his wife and kids. Your analysis was spot on, white people talk about the "damage to property" but refuse to talk about the murder by cops of Radio Raheem. Property to them, means more than a man's life.

I'm a Black guy but Sal is Honestly the Victim of this Movie, he Lost everything he ever Built just because he refused to put pics of Black people, like its his Restaurant he's free to put what he wants, he didn't hurt anybody, Radio Raheem and Buggin Out are 2 Idiots who's Stupid actions cost them what they Got, I'm not saying Raheem deserved to be Killed, he didn't but that's on the Cops and Not Sal, and who fucking blasts music in a Restaurant and expects the Owner not to Order him to Turn it off, Mookie did the Wrong thing by Trashing Sal's Restaurant when Sal honestly didn't start or Ask for any kind of Trouble in the First Place?, *this Movie just Shows how messed up we Black People Are*

Sometimes you have to punch back. Just make sure you punch the right guy.

When he says that all this stuff happens and nothing ever gets done about it, really puts it into perspective and Do the Right Thing is definitely one of the greatest films of all time.

Spike has made two of the greatest films American of history Do The Right Thing & Malcolm X. He got an Oscar recently and that was just a token reward.

How is this even a question? Mookie was 100% in the *wrong.* Let's look at the facts: - Right after closing his restaurant for the day, Sal opens it once more and happily welcomes four more (black) customers, despite Mookie telling them that they're closed for the day. - As they're eating, Buggin' Out and Radio Raheem enter the restaurant without permission, screaming and legally trespassing. Additionally, Raheem is blaring his music at night, constituting noise pollution. - Previously in the film, Raheem had blared his radio in Sal's restaurant and Sal had to yell several times to get him to turn it off. - Buggin' Out demands Sal add black faces to his wall. Now, let's think about this: Sal is an Italian American running an Italian American restaurant serving Italian American food. It makes perfect sense for him to post pictures of famous Italian Americans to both reflect his heritage as well as the theme of the restaurant. It isn't a racist statement, and it would make no sense for him to add photos of black people. Furthermore, Buggin' Out never employed a civil approach, which might actually have worked in the beginning. But now, after yelling and whining throughout the entire film, he storms in uninvited (again, trespassing) and demands that Sal put up photos of black people. Hell, even if Sal wanted to, what was he supposed to do in that moment? Immediately rifle through newspapers, find and cut out pictures of famous black people, run to the printers', buy a bunch of frames and nails, and then hang up photos after having closed for the night? What the hell were Buggin' Out and Raheem hoping to accomplish other than make complete asses of themselves and frighten a small business owner? - Raheem escalates the situation by continuing to blare his music. - Buggin' Out escalates the situation even further by calling Sal a "guinea," an ethnic slur against Italians. - Sal reacts by calling Buggin' Out the N word. This is the first (and really only) clearly wrong thing that Sal does. But even this is something he does under _extreme_ duress. - Raheem refuses to turn his radio off, so Sal destroys it. The alternative would have been to call the cops, but Sal went for the quicker and quieter solution. - Raheem accepts this and reacts peacefully by leaving. Haha, just kidding. He LITERALLY TRIES TO STRANGLE SAL. - Peno fights Raheem in a perfectly-justified attempt to save his father's life. - The police arrive and end up arresting Buggin' Out (thank god) and killing Raheem. This is obviously a case of police brutality and likely murder. But note again that Sal did not call the police. - People start to attack Sal and his family and threaten the Koreans (who were entirely peaceful themselves). - Mookie takes out his anger and grief over losing Raheem by going after the police. Haha, just kidding. He... breaks the window of a guy who isn't involved with law enforcement at all and was almost entirely a helpless victim himself that same night. - As Sal points out, it isn't just about the money. Sure, his insurance can help him rebuild, financially. But Sal built his business from the ground up and it was destroyed for no good reason. So, yes, Mookie was wrong. Completely, utterly wrong. Were the police more wrong by killing a man? Of course they were. But - and I think most people seem to forget this, bafflingly - _Sal is not a cop._ Sal did not even _call_ the cops. Nothing suggests that he wanted Raheem dead. Two wrongs don't make a right, and by destroying Sal's window, Mookie likely helped normalize senseless violence in the wake of tragedy. Even if we are to accept Malcolm X as being right here, the violence he was referring to was in self defense. Violence against aggressors who are oppressing you. So in this case it would mean protecting oneself against a violent police officer. But that was not at all the case here.

Great choice for the times we're in.

Finally watched this film. I feel there is duality presented in doing the right thing, love and hate, the Martin and Malcolm quotes, Mother Sister and Da mayor, between Sal’s sons, the right thing is subjective, not objective. Also the film constantly shows the tension rising, as well as literally the heat. We see the talks between characters, the racial taunts spoken to the camera by characters, the gentrification, the local business getting out run by the bigger newer business (ice cone man vs the ice cream truck) and in this predominantly black community they have the least power, the least respect, the least say. You could say they are the loudest, with radio raheem and public enemy on the boom box, Bugging out vocal protests of Sals, even the riot... but the sad thing is they are not listen too, even to this day.

I just saw this film for my "intro to cinema" class! This was *way* more in-depth than our class discussion

Seriously well done. Not only was your analysis on point, but the way you incorporated parts from the movie and external sources was very clever, too.

Finally! I was waiting for this. Thanks, ScreenPrism!

wow THANK YOU for making this analysis on do the right thing!!! I watched this film in class years ago and always wanted to discuss it more. I found this channel a couple days ago and am shocked that you guys also made an analysis on this movie. Read my mind!! Keep up the good work.

You made an error - The Malcolm X quote was very specific about when violence is justified. Not "certain situations" as you said, but in Self-Defense; a very significant distinction.

Who else watching this in 2020 like “nailed it”

The part where da mayor saves the kid from getting hit by a car is the only part in the whole movie in which someone actually does the right thing.

It’s such a good film and does a good job of showing varied perspectives... however I struggle to feel like Mookie did the right thing. I think he figured out that there isn’t always a right thing to do, so he opted to at least do *something*... it wasn’t productive and it only created more pain, but it was the one thing he had power to affect, so he did it

My favorite new film analysis channel. I wish I could do these kinds of things and actually make money lol

Screenprism is my favourite tv/movie channel on youtube. Analyses are so in depth and multifaceted. Amazing work.

This is a fantastic analysis. I really like this channel a lot, and Do The Right Thing is one of my all time favorite movies. I hope people rewatch it after seeing this video essay with new, open eyes. Its message is still so incredibly relevant in our country and world. Keep up the great work y'all!

Malcolm X ended up ultimately changing his views to favour MLK's ideas of unity. After separating from the Nation of Islam, he indulged in self-discovery in Mecca and came to the conclusion that separation was not the way forward. This was what killed him, as members of the Nation despised that sentiment and believed in black-only unity, so he was ironically killed by preachers of his own sentiments of necessary violence, whom used said beliefs to justify it. Whether you agree with his sentiments that violence is sometimes justified or not, I think it says a lot when 2 great men ended up being killed by 2 very different ideologies which had only violence in common. Not only was it destructive to the enemy, it was also self-destructive.

As one who was born in Bed Stuy and was 18 when that film was released, I can assure the narrator that when Radio Raheem says "Static" at 9:03,He meant Beef,Friction,basically opposing forces. You got beef? and you want some static? meant the same thing back in The 80's. Although,on second thought,two equally opposing forces,would create a technically static situation.

Rarely comment on youtube videos. I had to take time to say this was absolute brilliant commentary, analysis, and breakdown of this movie. Keep going guys! Wishing your channel the best.

You ladies never cease to amaze me! I watch all of your videos! Keep surprising us!

This movie still rings loud even in 2018 and it’s a damn shame that it still does.

It boils down to the two quotes at the end of the movie. If you side with MLK, he didn't. If you side with X, he did. Both could be seen as correct. The human condition is a struggle between these two philosophies. Even though it was a violent act, it brought public attention to the violence and injustice of the police in that community.

This was a great video, loved that you gave the viewer room to make their own perception while presenting evidence

Not one person ever acknowledged radio raheem was choking sal to death.

"the riot starts out of nowhere" Radio Rahem was just killed

I know I’ve been in quarantine too long because this video made me cry bro

Wow! I’m going to have to check this movie out. I love watching your videos because they always analyze the most interesting and dynamic films.

The whole point was everyone created the event at the end. Nobody did the right thing. Cops didnt, Sal didnt, Mookie didnt and the three guys who wanted a black person on the wall of the pizza place didnt either. The movie was a message to the country and to all races that we all need to do the right thing together.

One of the most aggravating things I always find about the discussion over this movie is the omission of the fact that Radio was about to kill Sal over a broken radio he wouldn't turn off inside someone else's establishment. The NYPD villainous caricature isn't enough to make me appalled over the situation, because he attempted murder and then kept resisting arrest. The "ambiguity" of the ending only comes from writing contrivances, logical shortcuts and a director who was never really interested in presenting both sides.

I just watched this movie in my film appreciation class and it automatically became one of my favorite movies

Insightful as always ladies

Watching this movie always makes me feel like taking a shower

Any other film students making notes from this? Great video btw!

I've tried to understand this movie, and I still cant there so much to unpack. This video gave me another way to look and analyze it.

Loving your videos.

The film is top-tier stuff.

The only sane man in that place is the old man but people called him insane.

Excellent presentation!

His character is mindfully and actively peaceful, not passive. I don’t like the narrative kept calling him that.

i feel like whether or not mookie did 'the right thing' is ultimately not the point. the point is that mookie, a man who is ultimately powerless, exerting the only kind of power he can in the face of his friend's murder. grief can make us all do things that might not be 'right' but are 'understandable'. after all, who can mookie vent to aside from the rest of his community (the other black people)? he cant vent to any of the non black folk in his neighbourhood because they also have a stake in anti blackness, and he obviously cant go to the cops, so instead he acts out, the way people often do when they see no other way to express themselves. and i found it interesting and understandable that only white people asked why mookie threw the garbage can, because they have never faced this level of frustration. america was more or less built on the tenants of white supremacy, so white people wouldnt be able to understand why someone would react in a violent way to smthn like raheem's murder, because they have never faced it. im not black myself but i am a poc so i can also understand the frustration mookie feels (although not entirely since im not black). i feel like the world is due for another movie like 'do the right thing'.

in the mood for pizza now!

people can't see the hate that is inherent in Mookie. And rightfully so, they will never be at the same level, because they've started from different levels to begin with. WE have to work with this understanding in mind, otherwise we won't get anywhere.

In The Quiet American, the Vietnamese translator to Michael Caine's character makes the same point that you make in this fine take on Do The Right Thing. Michael Caine's character keeps repeating that, as a news journalist, he is simply in French controlled Vietnam to report the news. But at the end of the movie, "to remain human," he finally chooses a side, for whatever reason. This is the greatest take on a movie that I have ever watched. Thank You

Not going to lie. I watched the video just to hear her say "mookie" 😍 Love that voice

What a great film. I wonder if Spike is going to do anything for the 30th anniversary next year.

Great breakdown of an iconic movie...

I appreciate this..I was at odds with myself about the ending but now I fully understand

Thank you for covering less currently mainstream movies, it really sets you guys apart. Every other channel does an analysis on big modern blockbuster films, but the content you guys publish is always unique, insightful and creative.

I viewed it as Mookie sort of saved Sal and his sons. It deflected what could have turned into a lynch mob into some serious property damage, but nothing deadly. Whether he did that intentionally or not, I don't know, but you sense he had a lot of respect for Sal throughout the film.

Really good analysis. Thanks.

A monumental art by one of the most important humans of our age.

And to think Driving Miss Daisy won Best Picture and Do the Right Thing wasn't even nominated.

When I watched the ending I started crying because of how easy Radio Rahem was killed. I didnt because of Sals place.

This is a great analysis

The problem with this movie is the fact Buggin out caused this whole thing. That man never got blamed either. Nobody should be mad to do something like that in their own place.

Damn this is relevant right now.

One of my favorite movies by him.

Sal took the insurance money and opened another Pizzeria in Florida. To this day the building is still gutted from the fire and is one less place for the neighborhood to eat at.

Do the right thing is a story about LOVE and HATE. Radio Raheem stated earlier in the movie that the rings he wore symbolized LOVE/HATE, a tale of good and evil. Love is the right hand and Hate is the left hand. It was with the left hand that Cain killed his brother. The 5 fingers of the right hand goes straight to the soul of man and represents love. Love and Hate are always fighting with each other, producing static (radio). It appears as if hate is winning the fight at first, but Love eventually defeats the hate by knocking hate to the ground with a mean right hook (fight the power). The Mayor told Mookie at the beginning of the film to always do the right thing. The Mayor also tried to diffuse the situation prior to them torching Sal's pizzeria. The Mayor was thinking in terms of love. What is the right thing you ask? Love is the right thing to do, but hate won this time.

Radio Raheem cared more about his stupid damaged radio than Sal's life

I'm never sure how I feel about the ending but I never had trouble with the explanation of "law/rule is how it it and you not liking it doesn't matter". But the characters frustration with that feels even more real. Nobody forced the characters to commit the crimes they committed and even that makes it more tragic. And to be fair, Radio Raheem was resisting arrest had committed multiple assaults against cops and civilians beforehand and didn't response to pleas from anyone so force was reasonably justified in my eyes.

The narrator/video is world class.

RIP SAL you kill it in the 🎥

Why cant it be both Mookie protecting Sal and Mookie being angry? Something that people tend to forget about art is that its subjective; it doesnt matter what Lee says Mookies motives are. Once art is released public it's open to public interpretation.

One of my favorite movies ever.

What a wonderful film. Essential viewing for audiences coming of age at the moment.

My favorite movie of all time!!!!

As a youngster I love this movie and was on the side of BugginOut and Radio Raheem. As a over 40 rational thinking with a little bit of wisdom adult. This movie shows the defiant and irrational thinking of African American males in the hood that seems to be common. Though this is a classic movie however my take on it as a over 40 adult African American male is not the most favorable. Don't you think something different could have been done to prevent Radio Raheem to be killed and to prevent a whole community from being damage including a favorite pizza hang out spot? All the ending drama over pictures on the wall? The right thing was not done. If the right thing was done then Radio Raheem would be alive and the community wouldn't have been destroyed. Sometimes doing the right maynot please the inner evil side of man however it's the right thing to do.

This is still so relevant today.

This video is SOOO Good 😩

I understand that Mookie needed to vent his frustration, but now he's out of a job and the neighborhood lost a pizzeria.

If you guys wanna cover another great film with the one and only Samuel L. Jackson, I have a great suggestion. Hint: It rhymes with Schmunbreakable.

I love Spike Lee and this movie is amazing. Fun useless fact, in the Futurama episode where the Robots had an uprising a Robot trash can jumped through a Sal’s Famous Pizzeria window😂

12:10 so he breaks the window? what an amazing way for him to do something

Sal's tragic flaw was that instead of standing up to the Germans he grew up around, who lorded it over Italians as lower on the totem pole in New York, he built a pizzeria in a black neighborhood and lorded it over black people who were lower on the totem pole than Italians. He became what he hated.

At the time in 89' when I seen this , I was of the persuasion and conclusion that most white folks came too that Mookie was just a ungrateful little shit , But as I got older and understood life alot more . I came to the conclusion that Mookie's Trash can throw achieved 2 things in particular, Point 1. When Raydio was choked to death and killed by the Cops and the cops fled the scene , The WHOLE Neighborhood was ready to Kill Sal and his sons the proof of this is bolstered by Da mayor (Ossie Davis ) pleading with the crowd to not take out there wrath on Sal and whoever stands with them , I think Mookie Saw what was about to transpire and decides that the frustrations should be taken out on the Pizza parlor So moving the attention to the parlor and At the same time taking his frustration out, Mookie Diverts attention and actually saves Sal and his sons lives , But in the morning Sal is more frustrated and doesn't even realize that his place being torched is better than him and his sons lives being taken . Point 2. mookie also points out that Sal could pick up and start again But Raydio is Dead at the hands of police officers for what ? Nothing ? Anyhow YES , Mookie DID THE RIGHT THING !!!