Crooklyn (1994, Spike Lee) – Classic Film Review 896

Co-writer/director Spike Lee’s 1994 semi-autobiographical comedy-drama panorama of Brooklyn life in the Seventies, centring on one African-American family, is one of his least-praised, but most involving and best movies.

Zelda Harris is remarkable as Troy, the young girl in a household of rowdy boys, and Alfre Woodard and Delroy Lindo are excellent as the parents. Woodard is a domineering school teacher, Lindo is her stubborn jazz-musician husband and Troy is one of their five kids.

This likeable, vital, real-seeming movie is extremely entertaining, well-observed and good hearted. Spike Lee plays Snuffy.

(C) Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Film Review 896 derekwinnert.com