Emma Mae

It was a 3 movie but I give it a 10 for being made!! But I still enjoyed it and would buy it. In fact I would love the soundtrack, any one know who sang the songs about cornbread and milk and walking with Bettie Lou....the opening and ending song.....and the one they slow dancing to I'm in love with you, don't you know it. I lived in a small town and back in the day boys did think country girls were easy to get and try to exploit. The storyline was good, could have used some work, but it was funded by the National Endowment for Arts so I respect it and see it as that an art piece. Loved it!!! Please send information on sound track to caribqueen58@live.com thanks.

Not the best cast and acting by any stretch and no familiar faces but I have to say it was intriguing enough to watch thru to the end. A really really nice soundtrack! Wish I could find that to buy!

This film begins with a young woman by the name of "Emma Mae" (Jerri Hayes) arriving by bus from rural Mississippi to visit her aunt and cousins who live in the big city of Los Angeles. Needless to say, the difference between these two places is quite startling and upon being introduced to her cousin's friends they all immediately look down upon her for not being as sophisticated as they are. Realizing this, she feels gratified when one specific young man name "Jesse Amos" (Ernest Williams II) takes an interest in her. So much so that she quickly falls in love with him. What she doesn't realize, however, is the low opinion others actually have for Jesse and the question soon becomes whether she can lift him up--or whether he will bring her down? Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this was an interesting movie which suffered to a certain degree from its rather obvious low-budget production values as the acting was uneven, the action scenes were weak and the script could have some improvement as well. Even so, the overall story was deep and Jerri Hayes put on a pretty good performance all things considered. That being said, while certainly not a great blaxploitation film by any means, it had its moments and I have rated it accordingly. Average.

Emma Mae (1976)

*** (out of 4)

Emma Mae (Jerri Hayes) moves from the South out to the ghetto in Los Angeles and it doesn't take long for her to get involved with JEsse (Ernest WIlliams II). Emma believes that the two of them are in love and when he's arrested and thrown into jail she decides to support him any way she can. This includes committing a crime to try and protect her man but she's got a lot to learn.

Director Jamaa Fanaka will always be remembered for the PENITENTIARY trilogy but there's no question that this here, his second feature film, is his best work. The film has been re-released under the title BLACK SISTER'S REVENGE but that's just a fake title to try and pass it off as some sort of exploitation movie and that's certainly not what the film is. This here is basically a very good character study about a young woman in a new environment and having to learn that not everything is as it seems.

I was really impressed with how good this movie actually was and I really liked how it didn't fall into the various stereotypes that were common with these films. There are two cops here that start abusing their power and get all of the mess started yet they are the white racists that we normally see. These are two black cops that get things going and the film has a certain message about people sitting around killing one another off without achieving anything in life. There are some really good moments here where the director gets his point across without having to preach.

Hayes is extremely believable in her role as the tough Southern girl who might need to learn a few things but she's also got things to teach to others. The actress was very good in the role and there's no question that you felt that she really was this character. Williams was also extremely good in the role of the worthless boyfriend and his fits of anger rang true and authentic. I also enjoyed Malik Carter who plays the wise old man.

It's really too bad that this film here isn't better known. I think the problem is that people probably get to know the director through his exploitation pictures and then they check this out and are disappointed that it's not more of the same. EMMA MAE is certainly an interesting little gem that deserves to be seen.

I've had this film for years but it's titled Black Sister's Revenge (unfortunately). The actors, the attire, lingo, subtle mannerisms and even the plot are good. Lots of interesting scenes that are a throwback to simpler times. I wish there was a sequel- so many questions. Give it a try it's a nice change from what's out there now.