Hood Classic: Crooklyn

It doesn't matter where you're from, we've all had to deal with some
sort of struggle in our lives. We've all had to go through it. Its the
common ground everyone stands on. That was the universal message in
one of the best movies depicting everyday struggles in the black
community. Crooklyn is about the 1970's, but is a story about a
journey rather than a time period.

This film is about a lower middle class Brooklyn family. There are
five children, four boys and one girl. The patriarch, played by Delroy
Lindo, is an out of work jazz musician, while the mother, played by
Alfre Woodard, supports the family as a school teacher. Even though,
Crooklyn is about a whole family, It centers around the daughter,
Troy. She learns life lessons chasing after her brothers and the
neighborhood kids. Being that she's a tomboy, she balks at doing
"girly" things like wearing dresses and grocery shopping. She really
hates grocery shopping because she has to use food stamps. Troy's
mother sends her down south to stay with her Aunt Song for the summer.
There, she begins to become a young lady and comes back to Brooklyn as
a girl ready to take on responsibility as being the only other female
in the house.

This movie resonated with fans and critics alike. Fans loved it for it
accurate portrayal of family dynamics. The parents intervene in the
children's squabbles over the television and name calling. Plus, the
parents argue over money and neither feeling appreciated by the other.
Critics loved it for the writing and acting being extremely realistic.
Roger Ebert said, "Although the Lees say the movie should not be read
as straight autobiography, some of the scenes have the directness and
pain of real memory."

Written by Spike Lee and his brother, Cinque, and sister, Joie
Sussanah, Crooklyn tends to be overlooked in the conversation of
Spike's best work. But who can forget "1,2,3, the devil's after me.
4,5,6, he's always throwing sticks. 7,8,9, he misses every time."
Crooklyn is always overshadowed by Do The Right Thing, School Daze,
and Malcolm X. Yet to those whose upbringing was similar, this is the
favorite.