Mama Flora's Family

This mini series, also based on a book by Alex Haley as was `Queen', tried to use similar formulas, that is, constructing a long history following the lives of a family over many years. Whereas in `Queen' the result was masterful, here in Mama Flora the inspiration was lacking. Firstly perhaps in the book itself, and most certainly in this TV production. Too much is put in with too much haste over the years, such that the unfolding saga is shallow, superficial, not nearly so authentic as in `Queen'. Full marks for the scenification in the earlier parts of the film, which was prepared with great care, but as the film progressed it seemed to degenerate into a kind of dallasian-forsythian unpalatable mix in the last third of its three hours or so duration. I had hoped for more; but evidently Haley was less inspired with this tale than his near-biographical `Queen', and Peter Werner III is no match for John Erman. Only recommendable for those who have an appetite for these lengthy tales of generations growing up.

From legendary writer Alex Haley comes another fascinating glimpse of a generation impacted by slavery. In Mama Flora's Family, Erika Alexander's family sharecrops a plot of land in the 1910s. When Terrence Howard, the son of the landowner, takes a liking to her, he offers her a job as a caretaker to his dying grandmother Della Reese. The only problem is she'll have to move into the big house, and we all know where that'll lead.

This is only the beginning, and I won't tell you any of the weaves of the plot so you can just enjoy it as it unfolds. Erika grows up to become Cecily Tyson, and her story of suffering and sacrifice is cut in between the current 1970s timeline of Cecily trying to help her floundering granddaughter Queen Latifah find her way. Normally in movies that cut back and forth between decades, one part of the timeline is far more interesting than the other. In Mama Flora's Family, I was equally riveted by Erika's sadness as by the events that led to Queenie's downfall.

I don't know how I missed this miniseries when it aired on television, but I'm very glad I rented it recently. The acting is top-notch, the age makeup is convincing, and the production values place you right in the setting. If you didn't catch this family saga back in 1998 and you like Cecily Tyson, Erika Alexander, Blair Underwood, Mario Van Peebles, or Queen Latifah, you've got to rent it this weekend.

I was prepared not to like this film.I just thought it would be another Jane Pittman (which was great)! I was pleasantly surprised and touched. The second night I cried the whole time! The acting was superb. The plot plausible. This was a beautiful tribute to Alex Haley and his characters. Thank to the producers who shared a wonderful experience with the public.

With an all star cast, Cicely Tyson deserved at least an Emmy nomination for her performance as Flora Henning Palmer. The other cast members is Mario Van Peebles as her son, William Palmer, Queen Latifah as her granddaughter who has a baby boy and is in need of trouble. What does Grandma Flora do but bring them to her home in Stockton, Tennessee from the big city of Baltimore. She begins to tell her story in flashbacks. There is young Flora played brilliantly by Erika Alexander. Young Flora falls in love with the plantation owner's son who hires Flora to care for his elderly grandmother played memorably by Della Reese. Young Flora realizes that nothing can happen between them and she ends the relationship and he ends her employment. She ends back home in her parents' shack. She gives birth to a baby boy that is ripped from her and given by force to his father. She is forced to leave town or her family would lose their farm. Young Flora falls in love again in a new town in Stockton, Tennessee on the road to Memphis when a railroad conductor suggests she stops in this town along the way. She stays, works, and gets married to cotton picker, Booker Palmer. They have a son and she works for a white woman in town who has a baby. When her husband doesn't get enough for his cotton, he resorts to stealing and he gets murdered for it by a white man who gets away with it. Their son Willie drops out of school and Flora is raising her niece since her sister died. There are unforgettable scenes like the one where Flora tries to write since she was never taught in school or when she is honored by her church who kept her going. I know the film may be stereotypical at times but Cicely rises above the occasion like phoenix. She is a just one of America's brilliant actresses who can take on any role and make it her own completely.

My wife and I had no problem sitting through this 3+ hour movie. In fact we could have watched more. It goes to show, they can still make interesting films without nudity and cursing. We

also went through a half dozen hankies. Tom