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Crooklyn

  • 1994
  • PG-13
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
12K
YOUR RATING
Spike Lee, Delroy Lindo, Alfre Woodard, and Zelda Harris in Crooklyn (1994)
Coming-of-AgeQuirky ComedyComedyDrama

Spike Lee's vibrant semi-autobiographical portrait of a school teacher, her stubborn jazz musician husband and their five kids living in Brooklyn in 1973.Spike Lee's vibrant semi-autobiographical portrait of a school teacher, her stubborn jazz musician husband and their five kids living in Brooklyn in 1973.Spike Lee's vibrant semi-autobiographical portrait of a school teacher, her stubborn jazz musician husband and their five kids living in Brooklyn in 1973.

  • Director
    • Spike Lee
  • Writers
    • Joie Lee
    • Spike Lee
    • Cinqué Lee
  • Stars
    • Alfre Woodard
    • Delroy Lindo
    • David Patrick Kelly
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    12K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Spike Lee
    • Writers
      • Joie Lee
      • Spike Lee
      • Cinqué Lee
    • Stars
      • Alfre Woodard
      • Delroy Lindo
      • David Patrick Kelly
    • 64User reviews
    • 30Critic reviews
    • 65Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 nominations total

    Photos79

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    Top cast65

    Edit
    Alfre Woodard
    Alfre Woodard
    • Carolyn
    Delroy Lindo
    Delroy Lindo
    • Woody
    David Patrick Kelly
    David Patrick Kelly
    • Tony Eyes…
    Zelda Harris
    Zelda Harris
    • Troy
    Carlton Williams
    • Clinton
    Sharif Rashed
    • Wendell
    Tse-Mach Washington
    • Joseph
    Chris Knowings
    Chris Knowings
    • Nate
    • (as Christopher Knowings)
    José Zúñiga
    José Zúñiga
    • Tommy La La
    • (as José Zuniga)
    Isaiah Washington
    Isaiah Washington
    • Vic
    Ivelka Reyes
    • Jessica
    Spike Lee
    Spike Lee
    • Snuffy
    N. Jeremi Duru
    • Right Hand Man
    Frances Foster
    • Aunt Song
    Norman Matlock
    Norman Matlock
    • Clem
    Patriece Nelson
    • Viola
    Vondie Curtis-Hall
    Vondie Curtis-Hall
    • Uncle Brown
    Tiasha Reyes
    • Minnie
    • Director
      • Spike Lee
    • Writers
      • Joie Lee
      • Spike Lee
      • Cinqué Lee
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews64

    7.011.7K
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    Featured reviews

    7OllieZ

    Uneven Joint

    Although I wouldn't say this is a great Lee film, it is still very solid. There isn't a story as such, instead it is a love letter to childhood and family life in Brooklyn. Imagine Radio Days, including the sentimental streak.

    The actors are great and this movie only goes to prove that Delroy Lindo is one of the best actors around. Zelda Harris as the young girl, Troy, is also brilliant. Alfre Woodard is the pivot of the film, around which most of the film revolves around - even if she has less than Troy.

    Tonally the film doesn't quite click. Sometimes the original music is quite sour and does not fit with the images. Some scenes seem forced.

    But the amazing soundtrack helps put things right.

    Even though the film isn't perfect, it has a great soundtrack and a very unique take on things.
    9gelashe

    Anyone who grew up in NYC 1970's will love this film

    Having grown up in Queens in the 1970's, everything in this film hits home. I am sure anyone that grew up in any of the 5 boro's can appreciate it.

    The music is what we listened to on AM radio, the TV shows, children's street games, sitting on the stoop steps, kids teasing their friends and neighbors are all something we did at that time.

    The Carmichael kids in front of the TV singing along to the Partridge Family "I Woke up in Love this Morning", Walt Frazier being IT when it came to basketball. How many of us sat doing the same things? The kids fighting with each other are brother sister typical things.

    But the film also shows the problems a family endures when financial strains hit. The father is a musician who wants to write and play classical music to audiences who can appreciate it. This becomes a burden when his wife is the one working as a teacher paying the bills. Domestic issues put a strain on their relationship as they get into who used to pay the bills and who's paying them now.

    Mom getting the kids up in the middle of the night for not cleaning up, you can understand her frustration being the breadwinner, mom and everything else. When she complains later on that she is tired, you will have to watch the film to see why.

    Sit back and enjoy a trip back in time when life was a lot simpler. Even Spike and his friend dabbling in glue sniffing isn't so bad compared to what is going on now.
    7karma185

    On the verge of classic

    This was the first movie done by Spike Lee that I have ever seen, and I saw this movie by accident. Out of all of his films, why is this one of the least known? It is worth seeing, because so many things work. It's definitely one of the most thematic movies I have ever seen, and I can definitely relate to many of Spike Lee's memories. It is sad, but it is also hopeful. Alfre Woodard was awesome, and I definitely think that she is one of the best unrecognized actresses in the US today. Delroy Lindo played his character well too. The relationship between Troy and her brothers was especially memorable and so universal! The best scenes in the movie showcase the children in front of the television. This movie was on the verge of greatness but it didn't capture it just because some parts of the movie were melodramatic and drawn out. The movie itself was about 15 minutes too long.
    nansense

    natural, well-acted, unwieldy

    the cast was perfect. they seemed natural and almost documentary like. Troy was magnificent. the movie captures 70s culture, the games, the shows, the streetlife, the music with humor without becoming precious. the sense of family is remarkable: strong and a little sadistic. i felt like i was that little girl living in the middle of all of those brothers. i would like delroy lindo to be my father. the flow of the narrative was a bit unwieldy, bu the music carried me through. if you want a nice neat plot, this isn't the flick to see. it was gentle.
    8annaily

    Endearing

    Endearing, sweet, funny, sad. This movie had the pacing of a book, slow and detailed, but it was excellent. Visually, I adored the colors and scenery of 1970s New York. Many colorful minor characters that really represent the scene well. The Ru Paul cameo was a nice touch.

    It's not gimmicky or trying to be funny. It's actually genuinely funny in spots, but mostly it is just very endearing and heartwarming. Brings back memories of childhood, no matter who you are or when you grew up, you'll relate to some aspect of this movie.

    It's a feel-good, coming of age, chaos and struggle of life movie through the eyes of Troy, the only girl of 5 children of a lower class family in New York.

    Alfre Woodard and Zelda Harris are fantastic. Harris is quite the little actress.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The "disorienting" view when the family is in the country was created by shooting in widescreen without anamorphically adjusting the image.
    • Goofs
      In the store, Troy buys a bag of chips, lemon heads, bazooka gum, licorice, fireballs and Boston baked beans. When she gets home all of the boys pull out all of the candy from the bag and Troy is seen eating a candy necklace, obviously something she did not buy.
    • Quotes

      Carolyn: Damn it, Woody, you bounced another check.

      Woody: I thought we had it covered. I'll get some money.

      Carolyn: When?

      Woody: When? What do you think I'm doing right here? Gem, Let me just finish this music.

      Carolyn: That's what I've always done. The problem is your music's not bringing anything into the house but music.

      Woody: Gem, the money will come.

      Carolyn: I'm waiting. I'm back teaching school again, and I am waiting, Woody.

      Woody: Just keep doing what you're doing, Gem. Now you know it wasn't always like this. I made money before. I'll make money again.

      Carolyn: I trust you, but you have got to realize we are on a limited budget. I am trying to balance everything and when you go and write checks and you don't tell me about it, it makes it extremely difficult.

      Woody: As God is my witness, I want the best for you and the children. But I have got to do it in my own way.

      [He gets up from his piano]

      Woody: Look it.

      [He gives her a hug]

      Woody: Cool?

      Carolyn: Cool. I went out and opened a separate back account.

      Woody: [He backs away] That's supposed to get some kind of reaction from me? What is that supposed to prove?

      Carolyn: I don't know what it proves. I'm interested in putting food on the table and keeping a roof over our kids' heads.

      Woody: [Woody goes to the far end of the living room and sits in a small chair] Boy! You know, you really kill me. I mean, on the one hand, you come down here telling me about yet another mistake Woody done made. But when I'm sitting at that piano trying to do my work, trying to concentrate, you won't let me do that either. You got a beef with that. I don't know what to do.

      Carolyn: You can get up off my chair.

      [He gets up and walks about]

      Carolyn: I don't want to hear about your mistakes, You keep track of those. I don't have time. All I ask you to do is to write down when you spend the money I am making.

      Woody: I told you it was a legitimate mistake.

      Carolyn: I appreciate that, but you have made that mistake five times this month. I just want you to change the pattern.

      Woody: I don't need no lecture from you about how to conduct myself in this house!

      Carolyn: I'm not giving you a lecture. I am asking you to help me conduct the business affairs of this family! You're an adult!

      Woody: What the hell do you think I'm trying to do?

      Carolyn: I don't know what you're doing!

      Woody: I know you don't. Well, let me tell you, I got to be like a thief in the night in this house every time I want to get some privacy to do my work!

      Carolyn: You selfish child! Don't tell me about privacy!

      Woody: Selfish nothing! Selfish nothing!

      Carolyn: Yes, you are selfish! I can't even take a piss without six people hanging off my tits!

      Woody: You're a big saint around here and I ain't shit, is that it?

      Carolyn: You can call yourself what you want to. I just asked you to write down the check.

      Woody: I wrote the check, right?

      [Woody sits back down at the piano]

      Woody: I wrote the stupid thing.

      [He gets up some music charts]

      Carolyn: I think you can do two things at once: make music and write.

      Woody: [Writing] Woody... wrote... a... bum... check.

      [Gives her the sheet]

      Woody: Here.

      Carolyn: That's very cute. You remember to write it down before it bounces next time.

      Woody: You know, you seem to forget, I'm the one used to pay for you and the children to go to Bloomingdale's and Lord & Taylor to get what you wanted when you wanted. You ain't the only one contributed to this family, Gem. You got to remember that.

    • Crazy credits
      The closing credits play over old footage of several episodes of "Soul Train".
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: That's Entertainment III/3 Ninjas Kick Back/Being Human/Dream Lover/Kika (1994)
    • Soundtracks
      People Make the World Go Round
      Written by Thom Bell and Linda Creed

      Used by permission of Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

      Performed by The Stylistics

      Courtesy of Amherst Records, Inc./PolyGram International Music B.V.

      By arrangement with Original Sound Entertainment/Celebrity Licensing Inc.

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    FAQ19

    • How long is Crooklyn?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 13, 1994 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • 布魯克林的夏天
    • Filming locations
      • Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks
      • Child Hood Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $14,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $13,642,861
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,209,475
      • May 15, 1994
    • Gross worldwide
      • $13,642,925
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 55 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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