LOVE2002

spike lee wrote an incredible story

themes of gender were present from the introduction. sequence of children playing, tussles and back and forth of girls and boys, the toys fighting, kids making out behind the gate, demonstrates the sweet complexities of feminism but even more, gender relationships at the time/in Brooklyn, but also even now in the greater Black community and in general

the balance between the necessities and ambitions of a father, and the burden that his ambitions places on the mother- the hardships of the “good” domestic family and the sacrifices it often places on the mother- women as the fuel behind the fire which we see in great American black men.

Every observation Lee makes in this film does not drag, critique, or celebrate….. he just… observes. It’s up to the viewer to decide.

Noticeably great acting, especially by Mrs. Alfre Woodard.

She captures the complexity of love and burden. Her ironic relief upon hospitalization was subtle but effective

The scene that zooms into Mrs. Woodard’s face as she talks to Troy and is backlit by the sun coming through the window, the light sparkling through her beads… beautiful. The film was all iSpy and Christmas lights

feeling like we are on the fan whenever we are looking into Troy’s room. She always seems overheated and is never fully comfortable in bed, and idk that camera spinning around like a fan just really made that idea come across

Back to “iSpy and Christmas lights” the film’s aesthetics just reflect the idea of looking at the past with fondness (the sheen you put on your memories) this permeated in the utter surreal-ness of certain scenes like the falling down the stairs, the candles lighting up the whole apartment, the mysteriousness of the man who was their tenant (fineshyt always wearing the uh..wifebeater) and the dead dog(?) springing out the couch. boing

good songs

CROOKlyn, what else will it steal from Troy?

the scene at the end where Troy is doing her brother’s hair, then it cuts to her late mother doing her child’s hair. Yes, it clearly insinuates that Troy is taking her mother’s place in the family (or has already been sharing that space) but it also touches on the mother’s own inner child. Having all that responsibility placed on her makes it hard to see her vulnerable side, but she was just a child once, too.

Themes of confinement are present in scenes that spotlight the window-bars. Troy outside getting the groceries, her mother telling her to apologize to that boy from behind the bars.

Again, the two adolescents kissing behind the bars of the door in the opening sequence- the confinement of relationship

Also, Troy stepping to the gate, looking after her brothers at the end of the film. Interestingly her hair is not braided (if I recall) so there is a bit of ambiguity here. It’s like… do u just want your hair to be free here? It’s a clear contrast between the mother who had her hair in intricate braids with beads. The loose natural hair gives “freedom” and that contrasts with her spot behind the gate… But it also indicates that no one is present to do her hair (but is that necessarily true? bc im sure there are people in her community who would/ she probably can atp… Overthinking aside, I like the feeling that that scene makes you feel. It’s not easy to put in words. Clearly

The isolated spectacled neighbor who was ruined by his mom dying… his trash; his… music.. permeates through the walls and sinks into Tate’s house like a cancer..

Stoops

The sugar- dad brings the sugar; the sand cake. but the sustenance, the beans come from mom. BC of mom’s sacrifice, dad is able to look like ‘the fun parent” (and she now looks like the serious one). an imbalance

MOTHER’S HAIR- her beaded braids are beautiful but they are heavy. The only time I saw her look relaxed (and taken care of) ironically was at the hospital. Her hair was all combed out.

With all due respect, I almost did not want to see her leave the hospital because of how serene she looked while finally being cared for. At what cost?

It is going to be hard for me to move on from this movie.

Thank you Mr. Spike Lee.

-love2002