In The Color Purple, directed by Blitz Bazawule, audiences relive the tale of Celie as she navigates the numerous hardships in her life in this coming-of-age musical based on the 1982 novel of the same name by Alice Walker. The expository novel was released to critical acclaim for its striking look into the hardships faced by women and African Americans in the early 20th century and won the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction in 1983. Walker’s work was also controversial having been banned, challenged, and censored numerous times across the country for its mature themes and depictions of violence. Nevertheless, this novel has integrated itself into the bookshelves of many around the world and there was roaring anticipation for the release of this year’s version based not just on the novel itself, but on the showstopping Broadway musical.
In the film, Celie (Phylicia Mpasi, Fantasia) is a young Black woman in the south during the early 1900s. At a young age, she is separated from her children and sister Nettie (Halle Bailey, Ciara). Another major hardship that Celie faces is abuse at the hand of her father and later in her marriage with Mister (Colman Domingo). Mister is prideful and insecure, directing all of his anger towards Celie and passing it down to his son Harpo who also becomes abusive to his own wife Sofia. But, over the course of the movie, the audience follows Celie as she meets fierce woman including Sofia, and the jazz singer Shug Avery who inspire her as she reclaims her autonomy and independence in this heroic tale full of music and magical realism.
The cast includes many A-list stars including singer Fantasia Barrino and Phylicia Mpasi as Celie, Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery, Danielle Brroks as Sofia, Colman Domingo as “Mister”, and Corey Hawkins as Harpo. Nettie is also notably played by both Halle Bailey and Ciara. Additionally, Whoopi Goldberg who portrayed Celie in the original 1985 film, cameos as the midwife who assists Celie in childbirth. While most of the cast did fantastic, there were times when the acting fell flat and made it appear as if the film tried to overcompensate by using household names rather than smaller actors and actresses who could have better portrayed some of these roles.
Regardless, the chemistry between Celie, Shug Avery, and Sofia is undeniable and propels the movie. They bond over the systems of oppression that leave them vulnerable to the men in their lives who exploit them in numerous ways, whether it’s through sex, rape, or physical violence. Their familial bond is permeated with feelings of love and hope that encourage the audience and result in numerous powerful ballads that touch the hearts of all who hear. And, while most of the movie focuses on the female characters, one unique aspect of this latest rendition is the fact that it doesn’t forget about the significance of its male characters. Some of the characters, including Mister, do horrendous and unforgivable things, but the story doesn’t fail to still touch on their motives, their feelings, and their desires as well. It doesn’t redeem these characters, but it does humanize them in a way that audiences appreciate by making them characters and not just caricatures.
The cinematography does a fantastic job of depicting the magical feeling of the southern landscape during such a culturally revolutionary time in America’s history. The songs and dances of the film are soulful and add a beautiful level of depth to the story. However, the large ensemble numbers don’t always integrate themselves well into the story on the big screen. There are times when the plot seems to speed up right before the musical numbers without fleshing out all of the emotional aspects of the scene or seems livelier and more upbeat than felt in the atmosphere. Regardless, there is no doubt that the film features powerful singers who were able to expertly belt these emotional ballads throughout the film, most notably the stellar Fantasia Barrino who touched the hearts of the audience and truly carries the film’s plot and many of its musical numbers.
The Color Purple is one of the most heart-felt movies of 2023 and watching it is a great start to the new year as the world looks towards 2024 with hope. The film’s storytelling was simply beautiful, and it is no question that this tale’s latest rendition will surely become a family favorite to remember.
4/5 STARS