Rage and Forgiveness in Spike Lee's Da 5 Bloods
Da 5 Bloods (2020)
Dir. Spike Lee
by Mitch Wiley
Spike Lee’s highly anticipated Netflix film Da 5 Bloods may not have come at a better time. In light of the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others, we have hit a major moment in the civil rights and race discussion. Spike Lee is one of the most prolific black directors in Hollywood and certainly one of the most essential filmmakers in American history. His 1989 film Do the Right Thing remains as iconic a masterpiece as ever and his 2018 BlacKkKlansman finally won him his first Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Da 5 Bloods follows a group of five African American Vietnam soldiers. In 1971, the one of the five “Bloods” (Chadwick Boseman) is killed in combat after finding a stash of gold worth millions. The other four manage to survive the war and bury the proverbial treasure. In present day, the four living Bloods return to collect the gold as well as the remains of their fallen friend for a proper burial. The leader of the group, Paul (played big and loud by the great Delroy Lindo), proudly wears a MAGA hat and is joined by his college-aged son. While all four continue to struggle with the never-ending effects of war, Paul is the one most obviously plagued by PTSD and regret. One emotional element of the plot is the strained relationship between Paul and his son. Without spoiling it, the two have big moments and scenes together.
As the group is led deeper into the jungle by their Vietnamese guide (and Spike ratchets up the Apocalypse Now and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre references), their fear and distrust in one another increases, as well as the danger and action. I won’t spoil the plot of the film as much as discuss what Spike Lee’s message and takeaways are. If you haven’t seen the film, proceed with caution…
The first major theme is regret and PTSD, especially as it pertains to black soldiers. One of the great characteristics of Spike Lee’s films is his use of archival footage as a way of teaching history. While comprising around 10% of the American population, over 30% of the American soldiers in Vietnam were African American—many of whom were disproportionately sent to the frontlines. Paul (Delroy Lindo) is the embodiment of a life that has been destroyed by the Vietnam war. The Bloods say in the film that they were fighting for the rights of the South Vietnamese that they themselves did not have as black Americans. The Vietnam War is noteworthy as a war Americans didn’t outright win, as well as one with questionable motives. Spike Lee acknowledges this while also discussing the trauma and pain caused disproportionately to black men. The trauma of America is nearly always worse for minorities—especially black Americans. In the standout scene of the film in which Spike uses his trademark reverse tracking shot, the film follows Paul as he makes his way through the jungle alone—becoming akin to Apocalypse Now’s villain, Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando). Paul’s third-person monologue is directly aimed at the U.S. government and military, made more ironic as he wears his red MAGA hat. Paul finally stands up and acknowledges his pain and PTSD, while in the process taking responsibility and autonomy for himself. He will decide his fate. The most poignant line comes when Lindo looks directly into the camera and says, “Hear me… you will not kill Paul. I will choose when and how I die. You dig?” while holding up his fist in the air—the logo and symbol of the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
The second major theme worth discussing is the ending. It’s not wish-fulfillment and it’s not necessarily a happy ending, but it is a hopeful ending. The question of reparations is certainly on the mind and I believe that’s one of Spike’s intents. I am left thinking about generations, family, and the sacrifice of black veterans as they hand the baton to the new generation of #BlackLivesMatter. Perhaps the message of the film is the message of Stormin’ Norman, the fallen Blood played in flashbacks by Black Panther’s Chadwick Boseman. Paul sees Boseman in a vision and is given a message of love and forgiveness. Yes, there is a place for righteous anger and rage, but Norman’s message is to control that rage and to love. “God is love… and love is God.” This vision transforms Paul from a rage-filled man into a man singing hymns while facing down the barrels of Vietnamese guns. The ending does not give easy answers to our current moment, but does provide the fuel of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. The film ends with the words of Dr. King as he quoted Langston Hughes, “America never was American to me, and yet I swear this oath, America will be.” Spike uses the Vietnam War to acknowledge the continued shackles on Black America, yet sees a light and a hope that comes through righteous anger and protests, but also forgiveness and reconciliation.