Synopsis
Salvatore "Sal" Fragione is the Italian owner of a pizzeria in Brooklyn. A neighborhood local, Buggin' Out, becomes upset when he sees that the pizzeria's Wall of Fame exhibits only Italian actors. Buggin' Out believes a pizzeria in a black neighborhood should showcase black actors, but Sal disagrees. The wall becomes a symbol of racism and hate to Buggin' Out and to other people in the neighborhood, and tensions rise.
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Cast
- Danny AielloSalvatore 'Sal' Fragione
- Spike LeeMookie
- Ossie DavisDa Mayor
- Richard EdsonVito Fragione
- John TurturroPino Fragione
- Ruby DeeMother Sister
- Bill NunnRadio Raheem
- Giancarlo EspositoBuggin Out
- Rosie PerezTina
- Roger Guenveur SmithSmiley
Recommendations
- 100
Los Angeles Times
Stirred up impassioned debate everywhere; it would seem the greatest compliment that could be paid a stunning entertainment. [30 June 1989, Calendar, p.6-1] - 100
Chicago Tribune
This is a sumptuous work, from its unconventional title sequence of a woman dancing hard in the streets to its provocative ending with conflicting quotes from Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr .[30 June 1989, Friday, p.A] - 100
Chicago Sun-Times
It comes closer to reflecting the current state of race relations in America than any other movie of our time. - 100
San Francisco Chronicle
Has more originality, nitty-gritty humor, spirit and spunk than all the summer blockbuster retreads combined. Underneath the jousting and jiving, there's a sharp, uncompromising look at the anatomy of a race riot in the movie. [30 June 1989, Daily Notebook, p.E3] - 100
The New York Times
A remarkable piece of work. [30 June 1989] - 100
Washington Post
There's no doubt about the film's sheer power and taut originality. - 88
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
Lee has forged a work of art in the classic sense -- art that delights and instructs. - 80
Variety
Combines a forceful statement on race relations with solid entertainment values.
