Spike Lee was a great admirer of Melvin Van Peebles and the references to Peebles in his work are well-known. In Crooklyn, we witness a summer in Brooklyn through the eyes of the 10 year old Troy: the anguish of family arguments, her desire   for her body to change, and the harsh realities of life and death. But there is also the influence of American television, the games and amusements of neighbourhood life — and of course the fervent love and pain of being a Knicks fan. A semi-autobiographical work written by Lee and two of his siblings, this film is an insightful family drama filled with humour and good music.