Down in the Delta

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Down in the Delta

PG-13

Released Dec 25, 1998

1h 51m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

76%

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72 Reviews

71%

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1,000+ Ratings

Sinclair family matriarch Rosa Lynn (Mary Alice) raises enough money to help her two grandchildren and drug-addicted adult daughter, Loretta (Alfre Woodard), move to a small Mississippi town in order to escape the dangers of inner-city Chicago. There, Loretta and her kids are taken in by her gruff uncle, Earl (Al Freeman Jr.), who attempts to instill a work ethic and sense of history in his niece. With the help of Earl's tough love, Loretta does her best to put her past demons behind her.

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Critics Consensus

Although director Maya Angelou is done few favors by a screenplay drawn in broad strokes, Down in the Delta offers some fine performances and a heartfelt message.

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Veronica Chambers

Newsweek

Angelou manages to make the South a character with the ability to heal and mature.

Jan 9, 2023

Full Review

Lisa Alspector

Chicago Reader

Maya Angelou's very deliberate blocking of the actors charges each movement and line of dialogue with emotion, and the expressive combinations of colors and textures in the settings convey a palpable sense of the environments.

Jan 9, 2023

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

Director Maya Angelou, the celebrated author, makes an impressive filmmaking debut by pacing her story slowly enough to make Woodard's transformation credible.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jan 9, 2023

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Katherine Monk

Vancouver Sun

For a first feature, however, Down on the Delta serves as a good screen introduction to an important American presence.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 9, 2023

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Deirdre Dolan

National Post

Even though it's free of stunts and sentimentality, the slow pace and loud, unambiguous morality, has a subtle, disappointing preachiness.

Jan 9, 2023

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Down in the Delta demonstrates that those who talk less, say more. [Full review in Spanish]

Jan 6, 2023

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Audience Member

The movie exceptionally good, a black american treasure. Alfre Woodards acting power is in her body language and unspoken words. As well as Mpho Koaho performance. I really don't expect white institution like rotten tomato to give this a true score.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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adam b

A well done feel-good film that is well acted but could of been made better

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

This was such a beautiful movie

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

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Audience Member

One of those feel good transformational movies.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

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Audience Member

This is a STRONG movie. It touches on the bond of family like no other movie really has in a long time. I started watching this movie to put me to sleep but It drug me in and I couldnt stop watching.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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Audience Member

Nice positive movie, but felt a little "afternoon special" like at times.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

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Maya Angelou

Director

Alfre Woodard

Loretta Sinclair

Al Freeman Jr.

Earl Sinclair

Mary Alice

Rosa Lynn Sinclair

Esther Rolle

Annie Sinclair

Loretta Devine

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Synopsis

Sinclair family matriarch Rosa Lynn (Mary Alice) raises enough money to help her two grandchildren and drug-addicted adult daughter, Loretta (Alfre Woodard), move to a small Mississippi town in order to escape the dangers of inner-city Chicago. There, Loretta and her kids are taken in by her gruff uncle, Earl (Al Freeman Jr.), who attempts to instill a work ethic and sense of history in his niece. With the help of Earl's tough love, Loretta does her best to put her past demons behind her.

Director: Maya Angelou
Producer: Reuben Cannon, Robert W. Christiansen, Victor McGauley, Rick Rosenberg, Wesley Snipes
Screenwriter: Myron Goble
Distributor: Miramax Films, Showtime Entertainment
Production Co: Chris/Rose Productions, Amen Ra Films, Showtime Networks Inc., C & A Productions
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 1998, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 22, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.7M
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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