SITE TOOLS
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School Daze, 1987, 121 minutes, Rated R
By Lisa Patrick
One of Spike Lee’s first films, School Daze is set on the campus of a
historically black university. Lee casts himself in the role of Half-Pint, a sophomore
pledging a fictional fraternity. Half-Pint’s cousin, played by Laurence Fishburne, is
the campus activist vehemently opposed to fraternity life.
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In Daze, Lee deftly uses the two main
characters to debate, both verbally and through their actions, the need for black
fraternities, as they exist today. On the one hand, through Half-Pint, Lee understands and
appreciates the camaraderie and teamwork that social organizations foster. On the other
hand (and with much more force), Lee argues that such organizations encourage distorted
and myopic thinking. Lee is obviously wary of the excessive ego borrowing, chauvinism and
cruelty that the pledge process can cultivate.
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In exploring the once-taboo subject of
black colorism, Lee’s decision to make Daze a musical is inspired. It keeps the movie
from being too preachy. Daze, as a strict drama simply wouldn’t be as effective as it
is. Moreover, the use of the musical genre allows critical juxtapositions of mood. For
instance, when Daze first premiered, much was made of the use of non-actors in some
scenes, most notably the tension filled hallway confrontation between the Jigaboos and the
Wannabees. Combining this scene with the highly staged setting of the beauty parlor for a
dance/fight between the two groups keeps the story entertaining and watchable while
continuing to make its statement. M
March 2000 |
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