Down in the Delta (1998)
- Starring:
- Alfre Woodard, Al Freeman, Jr., (more)
- Director(s):
- Maya Angelou
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG13
- Format(s):
- DVD
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Synopsis of Down in the Delta
Poet Maya Angelou made her feature directorial debut with this African-American family drama, shown theatrically but originally produced for the Showtime cable network. Unemployed single mother Loretta (Alfre Woodward) lives with her mother, Rosa Lynn (Mary Alice), in a Chicago apartment. Drugs and alcohol lead Loretta to neglect her autistic daughter, Tracy (Kulani Hassen). Her teen son Thomas (Mpho Koaho) brings in money by photographing tourists. Rosa Lynn pawns a family heirloom in order to send Loretta and the kids off to their Mississippi Delta hometown where Loretta's Uncle Earl (Al Freeman Jr.) runs his diner. Earl lives in a dry county, so Loretta is reluctant. However, she has no choice after Rosa Lynn threatens to contact child-welfare authorities if she doesn't go. Earl takes in the trio even though he already has enough problems with Annie (Esther Rolle), an Alzheimer's victim under the supervision of caregiver Zenia (Loretta Devine). Toronto locations substitute for Mississippi. Shown at the 1998 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 112 mins
Complete Cast of Down in the Delta
- Alfre Woodard - Loretta
- Mary Alice - Rosa Lynn
- Loretta Devine - Zenia
- Mpho Koaho - Thomas
- Anne-Marie Johnson - Monica
- Al Freeman, Jr. - Earl
- Esther Rolle - Annie
- Wesley Snipes - Will
- Kulani Hassen - Tracy
- Justin Lord - Dr. Rainey
- Director(s):
- Maya Angelou
- Writer(s):
- Myron Goble
- Producer(s):
- Bob Christiansen, Victor McGauley, Reuben Cannon
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG13(Profanity, Substance Abuse, Adult Situations)
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