Down in the Delta - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia

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Down in the Delta is a 1998 drama film directed by Maya Angelou. The film stars Alfre Woodard, Al Freeman, Jr., Esther Rolle (in her final film appearance before her death), Loretta Devine, and Wesley Snipes.

Plot

Down in the Delta Down in the Delta Movie Review 1998 Roger Ebert

Rosa Lynn, an elderly woman, sends her daughter Loretta and her children to live with her brother-in-law in Mississippi. Loretta is an addict and does not want to go, especially since uncle Earl lives in the dry and rural part of Mississippi.

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Uncle Earl already has his hands full with his business and a wife who suffers from Alzheimer's disease. He has Loretta help him in his restaurant, and the family begins to find strength in their roots, and start to rebuild their lives.

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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. Jesse stole back the candelabra, and it has been passed through the generations, along with Nathan's story, ever since.

Cast

Down in the Delta Revisiting Down In The Delta Maya Angelous Only Feature Film

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

Anne-Marie Johnson as Monica Sinclair

Mpho Koaho as Thomas Sinclair

Justin Lord as Dr. Rainey

Wesley Snipes as Will Sinclair

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

Reception

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."