Crooklyn (1994)

76% of critics liked it
(25 reviews)
87% of users liked it
(10,409 ratings)

Spike Lee and his siblings Cinque Lee and Joie Lee co-wrote this nostalgic but unglamorized look at a family growing up in Brooklyn in the 1970s, inspired by their own childhood. Woody Carmichael (Delroy Lindo) is a jazz musician whose career is in a slump; he once made a good living as a session… More Spike Lee and his siblings Cinque Lee and Joie Lee co-wrote this nostalgic but unglamorized look at a family growing up in Brooklyn in the 1970s, inspired by their own childhood. Woody Carmichael (Delroy Lindo) is a jazz musician whose career is in a slump; he once made a good living as a session musician, but he has moved away from it to devote himself to more serious music, a choice that has not worked out well from a financial standpoint. His wife Carolyn (Alfre Woodard) works as a school teacher to keep food on the table. The Carmichaels have five children, a bright and introspective daughter named Troy (Zelda Harris) and four sons with a habit of causing trouble, and they all share an apartment in a brownstone in Brooklyn. Crooklyn follows the Carmichaels as the kids learn the funny and painful lessons of growing up, Mom and Dad balance their love for each other against the financial and personal difficulties of the creative life, and they all try to get along with the often eccentric neighbors on their block. Crooklyn's soundtrack is enlivened by classic 70s R&B hits, including selections by Sly and the Family Stone, The Jackson Five, Curtis Mayfield, The Staple Singers, and The Chambers Brothers. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 54 min.
Directed By: Spike Lee
Written By: Cinqué Lee, Joie Lee, Spike Lee
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: May 13, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Feb 23, 1999
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine
Lee is a great self-promoter. After all his press releases and all his interviews, we are given films that are sketchy, unfelt and distancing -- incidents in Lee's career, the only drama that really interests him.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
It's the first Spike Lee film with the potential to be turned into a television show. More important, it's the first one to display real warmth of heart.
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
This remarkable movie will haunt you for a good long time.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Modulating from heavy to light, from angry to lyrical, and so on, the movie's an enjoyable, emotional symphony.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Lee is as talented as any director is capturing an era, and some of the early scenes perfectly recall the mood of the time. The pop soundtrack may be a little too obvious, but it gets the job done.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Crooklyn is not in any way an angry film. But thinking about the difference between its world and ours can make you angry, and I think that was one of Lee's purposes here.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
While Lee fails to impose sufficient structure on his material, expertly drawn performances help vividly to evoke the family and street life of an era untroubled by crack or drive-by shootings.
, Film4
It's not Lee's most challenging work, but it's certainly amongst his most charming.
Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
A sub-par vision of Brooklyn with some bright spots
Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review
An affectionate look at youthful adventures.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
The key problem is that the film is simply a ragged series of anecdotal sketches.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Loosely based on Spike Lee's growing up in Brooklyn in the 1970s, the casual, warm, apolitical (for Lee) script took a life of its own during the development process.
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World
One of Lee's more modest but admirable pieces.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Um dos melhores trabalhos de Spike Lee, este filme foi solenemente ignorado pela Academia - uma mancha que o Oscar carregará para sempre em seu histórico.
Gabe Leibowitz, eCinemaCenter.com
Standard Spike Lee fare, which means it comes with its high and low points.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Uneven Lee film -- and the reel printed in uncorrected 'scope is a really bad idea.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
An idiosyncratic domestic drama written and directed by Spike Lee
Mike McGranaghan, Aisle Seat
An ambitious failure from Spike Lee.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
One of Spike's most underrated and insightful.

Read all 19 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Melvin W

Carolyn: Wendell, PLEASE close your mouth when you chew! Wendell: Why can't you let me eat in peace for once? Carolyn: Because you disturbing the peace! You eat like a pig and chew like a cow! Although not as famous as some of Spike Lees other films like Malcolm X or Do The… More
Carolyn: Wendell, PLEASE close your mouth when you chew! Wendell: Why can't you let me eat in peace for once? Carolyn: Because you disturbing the peace! You eat like a pig and chew like a cow! Although not as famous as some of Spike Lees other films like Malcolm X or Do The Right Thing, it still has his signature all over it. Nobody makes an urban movie like Spike Lee. In Crooklyn he gives us a great mix of comedy and family drama, although more drama then comedy. Alfre Woodard and Delroy Lindo give great performances as the parents of 4 sons and a daughter. Based somewhat on Spike Lee's own life; it is a fantastic look at a tough but struggling family.
Conner R

While I commend Spike Lee for trying to make a coming of age story for an African American audience and white audience alike, it does nothing to change the typical hollywood formula. That would be fine if he was going for something like that, but his counterculture attitude suggests… More
While I commend Spike Lee for trying to make a coming of age story for an African American audience and white audience alike, it does nothing to change the typical hollywood formula. That would be fine if he was going for something like that, but his counterculture attitude suggests otherwise. You can see he was trying to be subtle with his messages, but that's never been a strong suit of his. Even the way it is filmed is bland and uninteresting. The characters are flat and often one noted, giving you no sense of connection or respect for them. It's basically a failed attempt at making a powerful film.
Robert C

A sweet and sentimental look at childhood in 1970's New York City. The 'kinder gentler' side of Spike Lee. A real high-point for his career and a great example of his range as a film maker.
Leo L

A personal favorite. Love this movie!

Cast

            Alfre Woodard as Carolyn Carmichael

            Delroy Lindo as Woody Carmichael

            David Patrick Kelly as Jim

            Zelda Harris as Troy

            Carlton Williams as Clinton

            Sharif Rashed as Wendell

            Tsemach Washington as Joseph

            Christopher Knowings as Nate

            Jose Zuniga as Tommy La La

            Isaiah Washington as Vic

            Ivelka Reyes as Jessica

            Spike Lee as Snuffy

            N.Jeremi Duru as Right Hand Man

            Frances Foster as Aunt Song

            Norman Matlock as Clem

            Patriece Nelson as Viola

            Vondie Curtis-Hall as Uncle Brown

            Tiasha Reyes as Minnie

            Mildred Clinton as Mrs Columbo

            Arthur French as West Indian Store Manager

            Dan Grimaldi as Con Ed Man

            Keith Johnson as Cornell

            Joie Lee
            
            Michele Shay as Drunk Woman

            Bokeem Woodbine as Richard

            Robi Reed
            
            RuPaul as Bodega Woman

            Christopher Wynkoop as TV Evangelist
See full cast

Crooklyn (1994)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Melvin W

Conner R

Robert C

Leo L

Cast

Trailers & Clips