Rating: PG13
Genre:
Drama
Theatrical Release: 12/25/1998(USA)
Release Date: 07/20/1999
SubTitles: English
Dubbed: English
Sound: 5.1/2
Run Time: 112 Minutes
Flags: Adult Situations, Profanity, Substance Abuse (Alcohol, Drugs)
Distributor/Studio: Miramax
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, All Movie Guide
