“...[Lee] is a serious filmmaker in frivolous times…among the many things I like about Spike Lee’s work and DO THE RIGHT THING in particular is the way he fills the screen with memorable characters who have great depth despite relatively small amounts of screen time … “ - Gene Siskel, Siskel & Ebert
“Lee's oft-maligned scattershot style of storytelling works to perfection here, creating irreplaceable parts of a neighborhood collage that feels truly alive, with all the messiness that entails.” - Kambole Campbell, Little White Lies
Siskel chose DO THE RIGHT THING as his number one movie of 1989. On the hottest day of the year in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, pizza delivery man Mookie (Spike Lee) is working for Sal (Danny Aiello), the Italian American owner of a pizzeria in the predominantly Black community. The residents of the neighborhood—including boombox-blasting Radio Raheem (Bill Nunn), activist Buggin’ Out (Giancarlo Esposito), and Korean shopkeeper Sonny (Steve Park)—coexist tenuously until a dispute over the pizzeria’s “Wall of Fame”—which showcases famous Italian Americans but no Black celebrities—ignites a violent chain of events that ends in tragedy. Lee’s magnum opus is blistering commentary on race, police brutality, and justice and burns timelessly as one of the most significant films of the 20th century. 35mm screenings generously supported by Mimi and Scott Manzler.
Awards & Nominations
Nominee - Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Danny Aiello), Best Original Screenplay, Academy Awards
Nominee - Palme d’Or, Cannes Film Festival
Winner - Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Danny Aiello), Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
Gene's Favorites
To wrap up our 25 Years on State Street celebration, we are pleased to present five films championed by our namesake, Chicago film critic, Gene Siskel. November 28–December 29, 2026.
25 For 25
To celebrate 25 years on State Street, the 25 For 25 series revisits standout titles from our State Street history, spotlighting films that have lit up our screens since 2001 and reflecting on the Siskel Film Center’s programming legacy. Each selection connects to a past Siskel program, highlighting the Siskel Film Center’s long-standing commitment to diverse and innovative curation.
The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu