In the film Do the Right Thing, social tension rises during a heat wave. The film’s themes involve racial tension, discrimination, and police brutality. The film fits the social problem genre. This film adopts characteristics of classical narrative conventions but also characteristics that depart from the classical narrative conventions.

An example of departing from the classical narrative is the character’s goals. The main characters in the film create goals sporadically and all throughout the film. Some are introduced later in the film and some are vague.

We see this in the film when Buggin Out notices there are no black people on the wall and demands there be one and threatens to boycott if this is not done. He tried to persuade neighbors but they refused. The goal of getting a black person on the Wall of Fame seems to have died out since he got no support. However, the goal comes back when Radio and Smiley agree to join Buggin out. Thus, proving the goal came sporadically and the idea was dropped for some time in the film. This opposes the classical narrative that the main characters of the film form clear and long-range goals. Additionally, the film portrays a community that is full of problems and conflict. This downplays the goals and opposes a clear-cut goal that creates conflict. However, the film uses continuity techniques to establish space clearly. He does this by using shot reverse shot, the axis of action, and eyeline match.