Crooklyn

Gabby Jeannette
12/7/16

Director Spike Lee’s Crooklyn is a wonderful coming of age comedy with a hint of drama as it progresses, so towards the end I'd consider it a melodrama. The opening shot of the movie is an extremely long tracking shot that set the tone for the movie and explained how kids spent their summer in Brooklyn in the 70's, a fun, free, and creative time.

After the tone of the movie was set, the movie began to be told from the point of view of the only daughter in the Carmichael household. The movie starts around spring time going into summer. Since summer break is coming up and Troy is one of the youngest and only girl, Troy has to be the odd man out. According to her mom, Carolyn (Alfre Woodard), she is unable to fend for herself while her mom is busy all day teaching summer school. At that moment that fun activities we saw in the tracking shot in the beginning disappear from Troy's summer plans. She is now going to Virginia to stay with her Aunt Song and Uncle Clem for the entire summer against her wishes.

After awhile of dealing with her aunt's religious and strict lifestyle, Troy pleads to go back home to Brooklyn. Upon her arrival she is taken to the hospital to visit her sickly mom. Being the only girl in the house, along with her mom, they had a very strong connection that was hard to break, but the absence of her mom made Troy realize how much love she has for her parents. Shortly after that, Carolyn died of cancer. This major event in Troy’s life was tough to adjust to and seemed unreal. But after awhile it hit her that her mom was no longer there to be a mom, and it was time for her to step up and be the woman of the household.

Although the movie had a sad tone towards the end, it shifted to a tone of reassurance; there is hope for Troy and her family yet. This movie is the story of how in life sometimes you have to do some things, not because you want to, but because it’s what life gives you. Overall, I thought this movie was a wonderful realistic film that could catch any viewers attention with the catchy music, odd characters and great story line.