Rating: 
Summary: A well-acted family story
Review: "Down in the Delta," directed by Maya Angelou, tells the story of Loretta (played by Alfre Woodard), a single mother who lives in Chicago and faces economic hardships. She and her kids move to the family's rural ancestral home to live with her uncle (Al Freeman, Jr.). This change of setting has a profound impact on the family.Those familiar with Angelou's fine books will probably see similar themes explored in this film. Solid performances are turned in by the excellent ensemble cast. I was especially impressed by Mpho Koaho as Loretta's young son. And veteran performer Esther Rolle turns in particularly moving performance as Loretta's Alzheimer's-afflicted aunt. This film does a good job of exploring a variety of interconnected relationships in this multigenerational context. The film celebrates family ties and family tradition, as well as one's capacity to overcome adversity.
Rating:
Summary: A well-acted family story
Review: "Down in the Delta," directed by Maya Angelou, tells the story of Loretta (played by Alfre Woodard), a single mother who lives in Chicago and faces economic hardships. She and her kids move to the family's rural ancestral home to live with her uncle (Al Freeman, Jr.). This change of setting has a profound impact on the family. Those familiar with Angelou's fine books will probably see similar themes explored in this film. Solid performances are turned in by the excellent ensemble cast. I was especially impressed by Mpho Koaho as Loretta's young son. And veteran performer Esther Rolle turns in particularly moving performance as Loretta's Alzheimer's-afflicted aunt. This film does a good job of exploring a variety of interconnected relationships in this multigenerational context. The film celebrates family ties and family tradition, as well as one's capacity to overcome adversity.
Rating: 
Summary: Excuse Me If I Moan to Loudly...
Review: ...but I'm in pain from kicking myself for not seeing this wonderful movie sooner. Every screenwriter in America should aspire to write characters for Alfre Woodard to play. She is the most magnificent woman to grace the screen in ages. The loss of Esther Rolle shortly after this film's completion adds an extra touch of poignancy to a movie already overflowing with emotion. I grew up watching Ms. Rolle on "Good Times" and was happy to see her in recent films like "Rosewood" and also one of my favorites, 1989's "The Mighty Quinn." She will definitely be missed.
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Family Movie for Anyone to Watch
Review: A woman living in a tumultous inner city returns home to the serenity of the country where her family resides and works for her uncle's business. Alfre Woodard is a great actress and deserves credit for her portrayal of a struggling single parent with an autistic child and a drug problem. Black actresses in general, need their credits in an industry that is predominately white and male.
Rating:
Summary: WHOLESOME MOVIE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Review: ALFRE WOODARD WAS GREAT, I LIKED THE STORYLINE IT HAD A UNIQUE RING TO IT. I WOULD MAKE THIS A PART OF MY FAMILY VIDEO COLLECTION TODAY. A MESSAGE IS DELIVERED IN THIS MOVIE UNLIKE MANY MOVIES NOWADAYS.
Rating:
Summary: WHOLESOME MOVIE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Review: ALFRE WOODARD WAS GREAT, I LIKED THE STORYLINE IT HAD A UNIQUE RING TO IT. I WOULD MAKE THIS A PART OF MY FAMILY VIDEO COLLECTION TODAY. A MESSAGE IS DELIVERED IN THIS MOVIE UNLIKE MANY MOVIES NOWADAYS.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful, heartwarming movie the whole family can enjoy.
Review: Any evening would be a good evening to enjoy this movie. My teenage daughters, my wife and myself were very pleased with this movie. It is a strong black movie with a excellent cast. Alfre Woodward was at her best as a Chicago mother going "down in the delta" to help save herself and her family.I would suggest this movie to anyone who enjoys movies stressing strong families, no profanity, no sex, and some of the finest actors I have seen in a long time. Big ups also to the director Maya Angelou.
Rating:
Summary: The BEST Family Film Since "Sounder"!
Review: Finally, a film that the entire family can see that doesn't have any sex scenes that are embarrassing to watch when you're with your children. (That's where "Soul Food" fell short.) James Freeman Jr. and Esther Rolle (this was her last film) were superb! This movie is an unsung classic that every Black family should own for their collection. Don't wait, buy it NOW!
Rating:
Summary: Very Uplifting
Review: I Feel it's Very Important At Showing A Strong Black Family.Their aren't alot of Choices Today.the Cast is Wonderful.Maya Angelou is a True Genius Of Words&Vision.Great Acting all the way through.Alfre Woodard is very underrated She is Overdue For More Respect.it's Wonderful having Esther Rolle in this Film as Well.I Have Always Respected Her Work from Good Times&on.SHe was Wonderful in Rosewood as well.This is a Great Film.it SHowcases Black Life With Dignity&Respect.I Wish More were made like this.
Rating:
Summary: A family movie without sex, violence and bad language.
Review: I haven't felt this good about a movie in a long time. Not since "A Trip to Bountiful" anyway. I don't know how I missed it on the big screen. Thank god for DVD. (Too bad Bountiful is not out on DVD yet. ) It is a beautifully-made family movie without sex, violence and foul language (or even harsh language for that matter). If you want any of that or fast-paced action (Wesley Snipes in not cast in his usual role) you will not get it here. In fact, I don't know why it wasn't rated G. I wont bother to repeat the story since it has been covered by other reviewers here. Maya Angelou has made a slow-paced but even-tempoed film that chronicles a family's struggle to stay together. In her subtle way she almost succeeds in making us fail to notice that this is an African-American film with barely a white face seen except in flash-back sequences. Her subtlety also extends to portraying strength in her female characters even when they are flawed. It is enlightening to watch how she blends societal contrasts so effortlessly - the contrast between the haves and the have-nots and the one between urban and rural America. All in all, this is a good movie to watch with your family.
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