Crooklyn (1994)
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76% of critics liked it
(25 reviews) -
86% of users liked it
(10,799 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
- Directed By
- Spike Lee
- Written By
- Cinqué Lee, Joie Lee, Spike Lee
- Genres
- Comedy
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- May 13, 1994 Wide
- On DVD
- Feb 23, 1999
- Studio
- MCA Universal Home Video
Critic Reviews
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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.
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Geoff Andrew, Time Out
The key problem is that the film is simply a ragged series of anecdotal sketches.
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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.
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Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
This remarkable movie will haunt you for a good long time.
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Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Modulating from heavy to light, from angry to lyrical, and so on, the movie's an enjoyable, emotional symphony.
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Cast
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Alfre Woodard
as Carolyn Carmichael
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Delroy Lindo
as Woody Carmichael
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David Patrick Kelly
as Jim
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Zelda Harris
as Troy
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Carlton Williams
as Clinton
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Sharif Rashed
as Wendell
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Tsemach Washington
as Joseph
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Christopher Knowings
as Nate
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Jose Zuniga
as Tommy La La
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Isaiah Washington
as Vic
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Ivelka Reyes
as Jessica
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Spike Lee
as Snuffy
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N.Jeremi Duru
as Right Hand Man
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Frances Foster
as Aunt Song
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Norman Matlock
as Clem
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Patriece Nelson
as Viola
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Vondie Curtis-Hall
as Uncle Brown
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Tiasha Reyes
as Minnie
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Mildred Clinton
as Mrs Columbo
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Arthur French
as West Indian Store Manager
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Dan Grimaldi
as Con Ed Man
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Keith Johnson
as Cornell
- Joie Lee
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Michele Shay
as Drunk Woman
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Bokeem Woodbine
as Richard
- Robi Reed
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RuPaul
as Bodega Woman
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Christopher Wynkoop
as TV Evangelist
