| Down in the Delta | |
|---|---|
) Theatrical release poster. | |
| Directed by | Maya Angelou |
| Produced by | Rick Rosenberg Bob Christiansen Victor McGauley Wesley Snipes |
| Written by | Myron Goble |
| Starring | Alfre Woodard Al Freeman, Jr. Esther Rolle Mary Alice Loretta Devine Wesley Snipes |
| Music by | Stanley Clarke |
| Cinematography | William Wages |
| Edited by | Nancy Richardson |
| Distributed by | Miramax Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 112 minutes |
| Country | United States Canada |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $5,672,903 (US)[1] |
Down in the Delta is a 1998 American-Canadian drama film, directed by Maya Angelou. It is the only film she directed. The film stars Alfre Woodard, Al Freeman, Jr., Esther Rolle (in her final film appearance before her death), Loretta Devine, and Wesley Snipes.[2]
Plot
Rosa Lynn Sinclair, an elderly woman, lives in a Chicago housing project with her daughter Loretta (Woodard) and her two grandchildren, two-year-old Tracy (who is autistic) and thirteen–year-old Thomas. Disappointed in Loretta's life choices and afraid of the troubled circumstances surrounding her grandson Thomas, Rosa Lynn decides to send her daughter and her grandchildren to visit with her brother-in-law in Mississippi for the summer.
Loretta is a drug addict and does not want to go, especially since her uncle Earl lives in the dry and rural part of Mississippi. Uncle Earl already has his hands full with his business and a wife, Annie who suffers from Alzheimer's disease. During their stay, Earl has Loretta help him in his restaurant, and the family begin to find strength in their roots, and start to rebuild their lives.
An important recurring object throughout the film is a silver candelabra, a family heirloom. The candelabra, which everyone refers to as "Nathan," has strong significance to the family. It is finally revealed that Loretta's great-great-grandfather and Jesse's father was a slave named Nathan, and he was traded for the candelabra.[3] Jesse stole back the candelabra, and it has been passed through the generations, along with Nathan's story, ever since.
Cast
- Alfre Woodard as Loretta Sinclair
- Al Freeman Jr. as Earl Sinclair
- Esther Rolle as Annie Sinclair
- Mary Alice as Rosa Lynn Sinclair
- Loretta Devine as Zenia
- Wesley Snipes as Will Sinclair
- Anne-Marie Johnson as Monica Sinclair
- Mpho Koaho as Thomas Sinclair
- Justin Lord as Dr. Rainey
- Kulani Hassen as Tracy Sinclair
- Sandra Caldwell as Volunteer
- Colleen Williams as Tourist Woman
- Richard Blackburn as Tourist Man
- Philip Akin as Manager
- Mary Fallick as Drug Addict
- Sandi Ross as Pawnbroker
- Barbara Barnes-Hopkins as Prim Woman
- Richard Yearwood as Marco
Music
The following soundtrack was released by Virgin Records.[4]
- "Believe in Love" - Sunday
- "God's Stepchild" - Janet Jackson
- "Heaven Must Be Like This" - D'Angelo
- "If Ever" - Stevie Wonder
- "Where Would I Be" - The Leverts (Eddie, Gerald, and Sean)
- "I'm Only Human" - Luther Vandross (featuring Cassandra Wilson and Bob James)
- "Just A Little Luv" - Shawn Stockman
- "We Belong Together" - Tony Thompson And Antoinette
- "Don't Talk 2 Strangers" - Chaka Khan
- "Let It Go" - Jazzyfatnastees featuring The Roots
- "My Soul Don't Dream" - Meshell N'degeocello & Keb' Mo'
- "Uh Uh Ooh Ooh Look Out Here It Comes" - Ashford & Simpson
- "Don't Let Nuthin' Keep You Down" - Sounds of Blackness
- "Family (Score)" - Stanley Clarke
- "The Rain" - Tracie Spencer
- "Patchwork Quilt" - Sweet Honey in the Rock
Reception
Box office
The film was successful on limited release.[5]
Critical response
Alfre Woodard's work drew praise from San Francisco Chronicle reviewer Peter Stack, who lauded her for "a beautifully layered performance...Woodard is magical as a single mother haunted by drugs, alcohol and an inadequate education. She almost single-handedly shores up this somewhat simplistic movie...[h]er instincts for drama and humor provide a welcome dose of human reality, saving a script that veers toward the sentimental."[6]
References
- ^ "Down in the Delta (1998)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
- ^ "Down in the Delta". IMDb.com. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
- ^ Ebert, Roger. "Down in the Delta Movie Review (1998) - Roger Ebert". Rogerebert.com. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
- ^ "Down in the Delta - Original Soundtrack - Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
- ^ "'Patch Adams' Just What Holiday Ordered". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-06-07.
- ^ Stack, Peter (23 June 2011). "Serenity of Life Down South / Woodard shores up Angelou's 'Delta'". The San Francisco Chronicle.
External links
- Down in the Delta at IMDb
- Down in the Delta at Rotten Tomatoes