User reviews

Despite the low budget, this is a very good movie. The performances are excellent and I recommend everyone to see it. I was in tears by the end of the film. My congratulations to everyone connected with this production.

Al Freeman Jr. is one of the greatest actors of our time. This movie proved it.In fact everyone from this fine gentleman and little Kulani were all in fine form. I also enjoyed the fact that the young man in the story came from the inner city and his grandmother helped raise him so he was polite and caring. The role of Alfre found herself because of the love of her family not a man. The only problem with the movie was the presence of Nathan (sloppy symbolism) and the heavy-handed ending. And why was Anne-Marie Johnson so angry (very contrived). Maya needed some help in the editing room too! (Fades and black-outs were too long.) The movie had many messages about family that were dear to my heart.

"Down in the Delta" is one of the better movies I have viewed. I find it difficult to believe it has not received more notice and distribution among the general population, but most certainly among African American audiences.

This movie brought home to me, as a white person, the destructiveness and family division inherent in slavery better than anything I have ever seen or read before. It showed a terrible dark part of slavery and the awful effect it had on families. The simple, yet very powerful, story of Nathan poignantly illustrated the loss of family and loved ones that was so much a part of slavery.

This is a movie about family that transcends race or color. All people can relate to the idea of how important family is from this movie.

I was able to view this movie with my wife and children and enjoy it without having to "cringe" because of sex, violence, or language. This shows that movies can be made that entertain and educate without being filled with gratuitous titillations.

Thank you for producing a wonderful movie that I will always remember. A movie about family and for family.

This film is a pallid mediocrity which wastes the enormous talents involved in it, including the magnificent Ms. Angelou. (One wonders, though, how being a great poet and prose writer qualifies her to direct a major feature). The true crime in this film is the dreadful script which gives the characters no development beyond shallow cliche (Drug-Addicted Urban Mom, Gentle Older Rural Man). The most annoying cliche of all is the old myth that the city kills and the country heals. What a crock. Our struggles are in our souls, not our locations, and moving back home to the country won't solve anything if you are not in a position to do the hard work to heal yourself. What a waste this movie was, considering what it could have been. If anyone wishes to see what such a movie can be if done right, also with Alfre Woodard in a starring role, give "Passion Fish" a try. It is much more truthful and far better done.

"Down in the Delta" is a sanitized, journeyman film about a black Chicago mother of two who is sent to visit family in the Mississippi delta region with the hope that family ties, values, and environment can help her rehabilitate herself. Although an obvious "feel good" fabrication, "Down..." has a sufficient depth and charm to make it a thoroughly enjoyable watch with some good lessons for all.

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.

I 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 -- Nathan's son -- knew instinctively that this candelabrum would play an important role in his family for generations to come.

The 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!

I highly resented that you couldn'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. I'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 don't want free tickets (that's why they're still in my mirror). I want freedom of choice -- of being able to see positive images of black people. Chances are you couldn't find "Down in the Delta" in the movies. I'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!!

I knew how this movie was going to end after viewing the first 30 minutes. But, despite that, the journey was worthwhile. The film could have been done a better job of capturing the feeling of the "Delta" had it not been filmed in Canada.

Although ignored at the box-office, this movie was beautiful. A must see by all black women. It was a movie that chronicled a woman's life that is similar to so many today. It shows how family is the foundation of happy lives. This movie was very moving for me. Not to mention the wonderful absence of profanity, sex and violence.

The great thing about this film is that it's so universal. Though it is about a black family and traces its generations since slavery, what shines through is the power of family. Being around family and knowing family history has a way of giving a person a sense of purpose and self esteem that makes them feel a little more sure of himself. It's a pity though that this is not always the case, but the function of family is to heal and to give you the love and support you need to face the world. I guess that's why in this storyline, the loss of family was so tragic and the candle stick became a symbol of not just the father who was sold into slavery but the necessity of family in each person's life.

First-time director Maya Angelou probably didn't plan on making a slick piece of goods about a hard-partying single mom who gains personal strength and direction after a move to Mississippi, but that's what she got. Perhaps too much outside interference watered down Angelou's intentions, leaving the early scenes set in the Chicago ghetto looking pat and Hollywood-ized. I didn't buy a single scene in this movie until Alfre Woodard finally transfers to her new home in the South, and from there the plot (however contrived) gained momentum and focus (much like Woodard's character). The final 30 minutes or so are really worth savoring, but there's a lot of soapy, shallow clichés to wade through first. ** from ****

The opening scenes of this movie, set in inner-city Chicago, are somewhat painful and intense to watch. The wonderful cast communicates very well the conflicts and struggles of living in an urban setting and trying to improve one's lot. -- By contrast, the southern scenes (which comprise 2/3 of the movie's length) are more bucolic, on the surface at least, but the pain and struggle of the human condition is very much in evidence here as well. But also redemption, and that is what makes this movie such a positive viewing experience. -- The cast is superlative and the story-telling strong. Recommended!

This movie begins in a Chicago ghetto, where Loretta is frankly doing a miserable job as a person and as a mother of two. As a last resort they drop in on her uncle in Mississippi for the summer, and his restaurant called "Just Chicken". From that point the real journey begins, accompanied by a few false starts, but accomplishing a wonderful transformation of not only Loretta's immediate family, but also the others they touch. It *is* a feel-good movie, but one that works well without becoming overly sappy. It's a good story, well-acted and well-directed, and will be enjoyed by anyone who shares traditional family values.

Beautiful movie! I wanted to add a "Goof" but couldn't figure out how to do it. Anyway, my "goof" occurs when Thomas steps out onto the porch one morning and spots the rear-end of a deer disappearing into the brush. The rear-end in question belonged to either a Rocky Mountain Mule Deer or a Pacific Coast Blacktail. In Mississippi, the only deer rear-end he would have seen would be a Whitetail Deer. The animal in the movie was not a Whitetail. The other thing I appreciated about the movie is that, with the exception of the 1860's slave auction, the white man wasn't portrayed as the devil. Very refreshing, considering how today's movies have "progressed!"

This movie was like having Maya Angelou come visit. Like sharing a hot cup of coffee and some sweet treats with her. Like having her wrap a warm patchwork quilt around my shoulders. I saw the great woman speak earlier this year, and I can't help but feel that her vision fills every frame of this film. The talented cast adds so much. Alfre Woodard should be declared a national treasure. And seeing the late Esther Rolle portray an Alzheimer's victim nearly broke my heart. Bye, bye, Esther. Bye, bye!

It touched me deeply. The black race has been through so much, yet they rise.

A warm and life affirming story. Alfre Woodard gives another memorable, emotionally compelling performance in a story that engages from frame one. Al Freeman's fabulously inspired and understated performance as Uncle Earl is a lesson in how to fully inhabit a character without chewing the scenery. His is a most convincing and moving performance that should not be missed.

Mary Alice has become one of the great African American screen matriarchs now, possessing a vulnerable serenity in this role which underscores our hopes for the rebirth of the urban progeny at the core of this film.

Maya Angelou got up to directorial speed fairly quickly in this debut although some blocking and editing from early in the project (in opening scenes especially) are rough. She doesn't show a professional sense of timing in many of her edits and scene endings, but the heart she brings to her material more than compensates. And there are instances of excellent intercharacter cutting in scenes where it counts. It's fair to say that there's not a wasted scene anywhere in this film. It's equally fair to say that some scenes show more directorial finesse than others. Look for even greater work from this master poet.

The only disappointment is Stanley Clarke's score, an unfortunate embarrassment for Mr. Clarke who is an accomplished jazz bassist otherwise. His score shows little ability to become emotionally involved with dramatic material and no skill with scenic beats and transitions. Clarke had a major opportunity to deliver here and he blew it -- and this is truly a hard movie to screw up.

"Down in the Delta" is movie blessed with plenty of heart and a talented ensemble that delivers. Well worth two hours of your time.

With the forgivable exception of sometimes seeing the microphone (mainly because the projectionist was having problems), this was a very impressive directorial debut. You could see Maya Angelou's hand in the story line order and in the emotional impact of Loretta's rite of passage into a world that made sense and gave her a reason for her life. Of course Jesse was justified in taking Nathan. Once you find out why, it makes all kind of sense that he talked to Nathan when he needed advice. No matter what you've done in your life, you can use that experience to make your life, and maybe someone else's, better.

Al Freeman Jr. Does an outstanding job portraying Uncle Earl, the relative down in the Delta who agrees to host his niece Loretta and her children for the summer. They live in Chicago where Loretta's mother Rosa is convinced her daughter is heading for a tragic ending, due to booze, drugs and unemployment. Grandson Thomas may be heading towards a violent future, too, simply because of the state of his neighborhood.

Down South, life is slower, safer and quieter. Earl proves to be a grand teacher of what is important in life and what is not. Loretta learns how to stick with a job, how to appreciate employment, and how to quickly acquire new skills. She also learns the importance of family and ancestry. Thomas learns shooting a camera will probably provide a much better future than shooting a gun ever would.

What will happen at the end of the summer? Will they stay down in the Delta or go back to Chicago? What about Rosa and the important family heirloom she possesses, which Earl firmly believes belongs back with family members in the South? Why is that heirloom so special? The ending of the movie was both satisfying and sad. Sad not only because it explained the history of the heirloom, but sad because it was the end of the movie.

A lot of the issues in this film were dealt with nicely. Alfre Woodard is a wonderful actress and does a great job of making a transaction of her character. Wesley Snipes makes a worthy appearance that's a break from his action-filled career. The problem it has is its ability to distinguish the true importance of "Nathan." Some of the camera work is amateurish, but the intentions were in the right place. Overall, a job nicely done by poet Maya Angelou.

"Down in the Delta" truly surprised me in that this was Ms.Angelou's debut as a director and she did not disappoint me. The cinematography was well done. I saw where they were going because I see the same things on the streets of Houston.The acting was fantastic Mpho Koaho really portrayed a good child .Alfrie Woodard as usual was excellent in her portrayal of Loretta .Al Freeman Jr. role was phenomenal his love for Nathan ,heritage ,family ,and his steadfast devotion to his wife Ester Rolle was so beautiful. Many thanks to all who put this movie together it is at the least an Honorable Mention at the Academy Awards .

This movie was very touching and uplifting. I saw it on a plane when returning from the Brittish Isles. Despite the unpleasant flight, I felt better after watching this. Usually, people fall asleep during the middle. Not in this case. Many of my friends have seen it and liked it. Most of the acting was good, and the directing was good for a beginner.