It's 1973 Brooklyn. Struggling musician Woody Carmichael (Delroy Lindo) and his school teacher wife Carolyn (Alfre Woodard) head a rambunctious family of five kids. It's a neighborhood of wild characters and loud personalities.
Spike Lee delivers a vibrant vision of his 1970's Brooklyn with flamboyant characters. It would have been nice if the movie could concentrate on one of the kids and have that kid explode cinematically. The girl comes closest although it may be due to the fact that she's the only girl and she had a shoplifting story by herself. The boys tend to blend together. The movie does need a clearer narrative plot to drive the story. It would be helpful to foreshadow the big turn in the family. Overall, there is something touching about Spike painting a picture of his roots.
Spike Lee delivers a vibrant vision of his 1970's Brooklyn with flamboyant characters. It would have been nice if the movie could concentrate on one of the kids and have that kid explode cinematically. The girl comes closest although it may be due to the fact that she's the only girl and she had a shoplifting story by herself. The boys tend to blend together. The movie does need a clearer narrative plot to drive the story. It would be helpful to foreshadow the big turn in the family. Overall, there is something touching about Spike painting a picture of his roots.