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Down in the Delta

Play trailer Poster for Down in the Delta PG-13 Released Dec 25, 1998 1h 51m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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76% Tomatometer 72 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 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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Down in the Delta

Down in the Delta

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review Audience Member This was such a beautiful movie Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member One of those feel good transformational movies. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review 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 Full Review Audience Member Nice positive movie, but felt a little "afternoon special" like at times. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

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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