Down in the Delta (1998)

Down in the Delta: Directed by Maya Angelou. With Alfre Woodard, Al Freeman Jr., Mary Alice, Esther Rolle. Rosa Lynn sends her drug-addicted daughter Loretta and Loretta’s children Thomas and Tracy away from the big city to live with their uncle Earl in the ancestral home in rural Mississippi. Earl puts Loretta to work in his restaurant, Just Chicken, while also telling them about the generations of their family, the Sinclairs, dating back to their time in slavery before the the Civil War.

“Maya Angelou is BRILLIANT!! This was an excellent family movie. The story was interesting. And, told in what I consider to be a typical Maya Angelou fashion — extremely interesting and poetic — with many underlying messages.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI love how the story led up to Nathan. How the symbolism of the candelabra strengthened the family. This showed how Nathan — the candelabrum — indirectly and unsuspectingly filled the role that Nathan — the man — was not allowed to do. It was almost as though Jesse — Nathanu0026#39;s son — knew instinctively that this candelabrum would play an important role in his family for generations to come.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe actors did an excellent job — particularly Alfre Woodard and Al Freeman, Jr. I love that everyone was a star — yet no one was a star!u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI highly resented that you couldnu0026#39;t find Down in the Delta in the movies anywhere. When it comes to black films, it seems the film industry would rather show negative black images and nonsensical movies for black audiences. I was very disappointed at the lack of availability of this very positive movie. Iu0026#39;ve only been to one movie since; and have no immediate desire to attend any others. Although I have 2 free passes in my mirror — sent to me by one of the major theatres to pacify me when I complained about the lack of availability of this movie — I donu0026#39;t want free tickets (thatu0026#39;s why theyu0026#39;re still in my mirror). I want freedom of choice — of being able to see positive images of black people. Chances are you couldnu0026#39;t find u0026quot;Down in the Deltau0026quot; in the movies. Iu0026#39;ve purchased the DVD. I intend to purchase several more — as well as the VHS — to give to family members as gifts. I highly recommend this film!!”