Crooklyn by Latrese Martin

Crooklyn

Dir. Spike Lee

Zelda Harris (Troy), Alfre Woodard (Carolyn)

Delroy Lindo (Woody). Universal Pictres, 1994

Crooklyn took place in New York where a family of 7 lived in there very energetic neighborhood. Troy (Zelda Harris) was the only girl out of her siblings. She dealt with the pain of her four brothers who were sometimes out of control. Her mother Carolyn (Alfre Woodard) was a school teacher and her father Woody (Delroy Lindo) was a jazz musician. Being in such a big family it was hard trying to make ends meet. Carolyn never let that stop her she was a good mother and was still able to keep everything in tack. Woody and Carolyn was different when it came to parenting. Carolyn was more stern and Woody was more laid back and let his wife do all the disciplining and yelling. Troy played a huge role and she was like the second mom in the house. She watched her mother do it all and took on some of her habits. 

Their neighborhood was crazy and very exciting: the neighbors, neighborhood kids, people sniffing glue, fights, arguments, and etc. There was a lot to see, and Troy learned on her own how to defend herself when it came to her family and herself. When her parents got into a physical and verbal argument, it split them up. Troy was determined to get them back together. She was the glue in her family [nice observation]. Despite the arguments she encountered with her siblings, that is natural in a family.  But she knew how to keep things sane . I would have to say that Woody showed Troy more attention than he did the boys. She was like daddy's little girl, and I would understand that because she is the only girl in a house with five children. 

One summer Troy was forced to go visit her family down south, and she really didn't want to. When she went she didn't like it at first but then later on she enjoyed spending time with her cousin Violet. Her mother wanted Troy to go because she thought it would be different for her [and because she was concerned about the lack of supervision since she was planning on teaching summer school]. Later when she came back to New York she finds out disturbing news. Her mother is sickly, and it makes Troy look at things differently. She later on took the responsibilities of her mother at a young age. She learned that it isn't easy, but it's worth trying. 

Overall, this movie was good, and I would definitely recommend it to watch with family. Troy played a big role as a protagonist and there is a lesson we could have learn from this movie. I know I could relate to Troy because I play the ''mother'' role when it comes to my 2 sisters. I enjoyed watching it and wouldn't mind watching it again.