Crooklyn is a 1994 American semi-autobiographical comedy-drama film directed by Spike Lee and co-written with his siblings Joie Susannah Lee and Cinqué Lee. The movie is set in Brooklyn in the 1970s, and it tells the story of a black family living in a brownstone. The head of the family is Carolyn (played by Alfre Woodard), a schoolteacher, and her husband is Woody (played by Delroy Lindo), a struggling jazz musician. Carolyn and Woody have five children: Troy, Clinton, Wendell, Nate, and Josephine.
Crooklyn is a coming-of-age story that follows the children's experiences as they navigate their way through various obstacles in their personal lives, such as bullying, sickness, and death. The film is also a portrait of a neighborhood undergoing rapid change, as the area becomes increasingly diverse and gentrified.
Alongside Woodard and Lindo, Crooklyn features an ensemble cast of talented actors, including Zelda Harris as the main character Troy, who is based on Spike Lee's sister Joie. Lee's trademark style is evident throughout the film, with its use of vibrant colors, an eclectic soundtrack, and a mix of humor and drama.
Overall, Crooklyn is a tender and affecting tribute to the joys and challenges of family life, set against a backdrop of cultural and social change. It is a film that succeeds in capturing a particular time and place with realism and authenticity, while also delivering a universal message about the importance of love, support, and resilience.