Crooklyn (1994) is a semi-autobiographical comedy/drama directed by Spike Lee. The film has received mixed reviews from top critics and was more or less left out of award considerations of the time.
Crooklyn is a vibrant envisionment of the neighborhood of Brooklyn and family life in Lee’s world that is untouched by violence. Lee’s ability to capture the era and style of the 70s shines through with all the stories Lee tells, and is the real highlight of the film. The film tells a more or less cohesive story of the Carmichaels and their unglamorous life in Brooklyn.
The set of stories told in Crooklyn are loosely adapted memories from Spike Lee’s childhood. These stories aren’t necessarily structured, but they do tell a coming of age story for the Carmichael family. Whether or not the audience is moved by these stories really depends on how they relate to the characters. Often times however the struggles of the Carmichaels are sometimes hard to see as moving. The very loud nature of the film makes it hard for an audience to switch from comedy viewing mode to drama viewing mode, and at points it can be hard to tell the difference.
Despite this, I think most audiences will feel charmed by Lee’s view of Brooklyn. It’s obvious that he holds the town close to his heart, and it shows through in every aspect of the film. If Crooklyn accomplishes anything, it’s the carefree, childlike view that Lee has of hi hometown, and the film is a reflection of that, and I think that is what makes the film special.
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