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Down in the Delta

Play trailer Poster for Down in the Delta PG-13 1998 1h 51m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
76% Tomatometer 71 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 01/09/2023
Angelou manages to make the South a character with the ability to heal and mature. Go to Full Review Lisa Alspector Chicago Reader 01/09/2023
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. Go to Full Review Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune 01/09/2023
3.5/4
Director Maya Angelou, the celebrated author, makes an impressive filmmaking debut by pacing her story slowly enough to make Woodard's transformation credible. Go to Full Review Katherine Monk Vancouver Sun 01/09/2023
3/5
For a first feature, however, Down on the Delta serves as a good screen introduction to an important American presence. Go to Full Review Deirdre Dolan National Post 01/09/2023
Even though it's free of stunts and sentimentality, the slow pace and loud, unambiguous morality, has a subtle, disappointing preachiness. Go to Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) 01/06/2023
Down in the Delta demonstrates that those who talk less, say more. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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08/18/2021 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. See more adam b 10/21/2019 A well done feel-good film that is well acted but could of been made better See more 02/24/2013 This was such a beautiful movie See more 02/11/2013 One of those feel good transformational movies. See more 09/21/2012 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. See more 04/29/2012 Nice positive movie, but felt a little "afternoon special" like at times. See more Read all reviews
Down in the Delta

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Cast & Crew

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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

Zenia

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Down in the Delta

Down in the Delta (1998) Down in the Delta (1998) Down in the Delta (1998) View more photos

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