Professor Greene
Film 301/314
July 06, 2008
Midterm : Question #1
Spike Lee and Martin Scorsese are world renowned directors whose work reflects the communities they come from. Many of their early works focus on their own ethnic back round, culture and location each is from. They both seem to use their protagonists to show some of their personal views on different aspects of life. The protagonists in Spike Lee’s Joe Bed Stuy’s Barbershop and Martin Scorsese’s Raging Bull, both experience challenges and obstacles while trying to succeed in an American capitalist system. Problems both characters face include: the legal system, family(spouse) and both their own inner conflicts.
Both protagonists in these films face the obstacle of getting around the law. In Joe Bed Stuy’s Barbershop, Zach is operating an illegal numbers running operation out of his barbershop. While this is taking place, he is not only putting himself at risk of getting caught, but everyone in the community that is participating in this illegal activity. 
In the clip here, it shows how Zach is using his shop and advertising number running. It also shows how many people participate in this extravaganza. The protagonist Jake in, Raging Bull also faces problems with defying the legal system. He throws a boxing fight to advance in American capitalism. The outcome from throwing the fight is he gets suspended for two years, but he does get to fight the champion to promote his boxing career. This signifies what Aaron Baker means in “Class and American Boxing Films” when he wrote, “Films about prize fighting speak more directly about capitalism and class…because the present both forceful representations of self reliance and the drive for wealth.” Another problem he faces with the law is he introduces a fourteen year old girl to adult men who apparently slept with the girl. He then is arrested and is forced to do some time in prison. This can also be seen as an outcome of his pursuit of capitalism because it took place in his night club and may be interpreted that he prostituted her out. These are some of the examples that both characters used to try and get around the law in pursuit of American capitalism.
The next obstacle faced by the two characters trying to achieve success, is that of dealing with their spouses. In Bed Stuy’s, Zach’s dilemma is he wants to make his wife Ruth happy but business is not going well at the barbershop. Ruth wants to move to Atlanta, which makes Zach feel like he needs to satisfy her wants, so he decides to take on the number running business which brings in a lot of clientele. He then steals the money and tries to move to Atlanta but his plan backfires on him. Ruth wanted Zach to get the money an honest way, not illegally. Ironically, Houston Baker points out, “It is finally a combination, it seems to me, of her desire for money and the south…that forces Zach to give up his idealism and enter the numbers game.” Jake’s problem with his first wife in Raging Bull, is she had a problem with Jake leaving for his fights because she thought that he was out there chasing women, but in all actuality Jake was chasing down his dream of being champion and making it in an American Capitalist Society.
In this clip it shows Jakes wife complaining about him leaving all the time. It also shows how bad , their relationship is due to his absence as a husband. This is just another obstacle in these two characters lives that prolong or deny their dream of making it in American capitalism.
In the clip here, it shows how Zach is using his shop and advertising number running. It also shows how many people participate in this extravaganza. The protagonist Jake in, Raging Bull also faces problems with defying the legal system. He throws a boxing fight to advance in American capitalism. The outcome from throwing the fight is he gets suspended for two years, but he does get to fight the champion to promote his boxing career. This signifies what Aaron Baker means in “Class and American Boxing Films” when he wrote, “Films about prize fighting speak more directly about capitalism and class…because the present both forceful representations of self reliance and the drive for wealth.” Another problem he faces with the law is he introduces a fourteen year old girl to adult men who apparently slept with the girl. He then is arrested and is forced to do some time in prison. This can also be seen as an outcome of his pursuit of capitalism because it took place in his night club and may be interpreted that he prostituted her out. These are some of the examples that both characters used to try and get around the law in pursuit of American capitalism.The next obstacle faced by the two characters trying to achieve success, is that of dealing with their spouses. In Bed Stuy’s, Zach’s dilemma is he wants to make his wife Ruth happy but business is not going well at the barbershop. Ruth wants to move to Atlanta, which makes Zach feel like he needs to satisfy her wants, so he decides to take on the number running business which brings in a lot of clientele. He then steals the money and tries to move to Atlanta but his plan backfires on him. Ruth wanted Zach to get the money an honest way, not illegally. Ironically, Houston Baker points out, “It is finally a combination, it seems to me, of her desire for money and the south…that forces Zach to give up his idealism and enter the numbers game.” Jake’s problem with his first wife in Raging Bull, is she had a problem with Jake leaving for his fights because she thought that he was out there chasing women, but in all actuality Jake was chasing down his dream of being champion and making it in an American Capitalist Society.
In this clip it shows Jakes wife complaining about him leaving all the time. It also shows how bad , their relationship is due to his absence as a husband. This is just another obstacle in these two characters lives that prolong or deny their dream of making it in American capitalism. The biggest challenge that the two protagonists have to overcome is their own inner conflicts. Their inner conflicts definitely interfered with their success and goals in making it in an American capitalist system. An example of Zach’s inner conflict is seen by him wanting to make his wife happy and maintaining his values by not using chemicals in anyone’s hair, but still wanting to make money. Zach gives in and breaks his values anyway by first letting the numbers running business take place, then by stealing the gamble money. As Spike Lee stated in That’s My Story and I’m Sticking to it, “should he acquiesce or make a stand?”(pg. 25) This makes apparent some of the inner conflict Zach was forced to deal with to make it in an American capitalist system. Jake also has inner conflict that gets in the way of his dream to make it in the capitalist system. His biggest inner conflict was whether or not to throw his fight to get a chance at the belt. Jake felt that he was never going to get a chance at the belt so he got desperate. He was presented with an offer that he really didn’t want to take, but felt he paid his dues and he deserved it. After getting the fight he wanted, it seemed as if his life took a toll for the worst and he slowly started to lose everyone around him. His insecurity is also a key factor in the destruction of his own life. This clip demonstrates his breakdown that he had when he was locked up in prison. This is where his choices eventually led him. He regrets a lot of the choices that he has made for himself. The inner conflicts for both characters were the toughest challenges to overcome, to achieve success in both of their lives. 
Through the use of these characters, Lee and Scorsese illustrated some of the many challenges faced by people trying to survive in the American capitalist economy. Unfortunately, it seems that for Zach and Jake the obstacles presented by the law, their family, and their inner conflicts proved to deter their success in climbing the money ladder and holding their desired spot in the American capitalist system.
Through the use of these characters, Lee and Scorsese illustrated some of the many challenges faced by people trying to survive in the American capitalist economy. Unfortunately, it seems that for Zach and Jake the obstacles presented by the law, their family, and their inner conflicts proved to deter their success in climbing the money ladder and holding their desired spot in the American capitalist system.
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