Watch Mama Flora's Family
- 1969
- 1 Season
Mama Flora's Family is a television miniseries produced by RHI Entertainment in 1998. This epic family saga is based on a novel of the same name by Alex Haley, whose previous works had included the legendary Roots. Part one of Mama Flora's Family aired on November 8th, 1998, with the second airing the following night of November 9th. The story of Mama Flora's Family spans several generations, following the life of Flora Palmer, an African-American woman born in 1900 in Georgia. The narrative starts with her life as a young girl and progresses through the Jim Crow era of the South, the civil rights movement, all the way to the present time of when the show was filmed. Mama Flora's family includes her husband, Willie, and their three children, Lincoln, Ruthana, and Dorothy, as well as their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mama Flora's Family is a sweeping tale filled with poignant moments, complexities, joys, and heartaches, capturing the essence of the African-American experience. The miniseries explores historical moments, such as the rise of the Ku Klux Klan in the South, the grit and determination of the civil rights movement, and the hardships and challenges faced by black Americans. One of the central themes of this story is how the events of the world affect the evolution of the family structure. The family's portrayal is a unique blend of traditions born out of the legacy of slavery in the antebellum South and the modern-day experience of black America. Despite the struggles that Flora and her family face, they maintain a remarkable resilience and an unquenchable spirit. Cicely Tyson, who portrays Flora Palmer, delivers a remarkable performance, stealing the show with her commanding presence, dignity, and strength in the face of adversity. Her portrayal of the matriarch is both grounded and graceful, evoking empathy from the viewers with the weight of her hardships and the weariness of age showing on her face. The supporting cast of Mama Flora's Family is also excellent, with Blair Underwood as the show-stealing Lincoln, the son of Flora and Willie. Also, Queen Latifah is charming as Dorothy, Lincoln's younger sister, and Mario Van Peebles is riveting as Alex Haley, a friend of the family. The show's music score is essential to the story's experience, and the soundtrack features a blend of both contemporary and classic tracks from the likes of Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, and Gladys Knight. The score has a certain affectivity for underscoring the show's emotional themes without overwhelming the narrative's quieter moments. The visual presentation of Mama Flora's Family is exquisite, with attention to the smallest details that lend authenticity to the periods portrayed. The cinematography is never flashy yet manages to capture the country's beauty and its people. Mama Flora's Family is a TV series that tackles important societal issues and raises questions related to race, gender, and family. It is a poignant reminder of the struggles and hardships of African-American families in the United States. It brings home the harsh reality that even though society has made progress since the Jim Crow era, the way to go is still long and arduous. The series is an ode to the resilient spirit of America standing tall in the face of adversity. A final note on this epic family drama is that Mama Flora's Family is a heartwarming tribute to family and the role of mothers. It is a show that brings a smile and leaves a glow in the hearts of viewers, a testament to the central theme of Mama Flora's Family, love and resilience in the face of adversity.