The Color Purple (2023) User Reviews

It was decent

[chenp-54708 · 6/10 · 27 December 2023]

It's a decent new adaptation of The Color Purple with gorgeous production designs, solid direction and good performances from the cast members. Director Blitz Bazawule does a solid work on handling the tone and setting alongside with the production sets, costumes, and camerawork being really colorful and beautiful. The musical singing moments, while some of the musical tracks weren't great, were solid with some pretty good lyrics and musical tones explored. Many of the performances were pretty good as there wasn't a single poor performance.

Since I have read the book and seen the first adaptation from Steven Spielberg which I really liked, I felt the emotional core and writing isn't as strong as it could be as there were some elements that felt thin and could have been explored a bit more. Since this is based on the broadway version, I haven't seen the broadway version so that might explain the disconnection. There were some pacing issues and some of the dialogue moments were a little odd. Overall, it's a decent adaptation but I prefer to watch Steven Spielberg's version.

The Color Meh

[mjanelle-24974 · 6/10 · 29 December 2023]

I'll start by saying that several performances were REALLY good, particularly Shug and Sophia (hello, Oscar?). But the movie felt flat. I know this is a different version (from the Broadway show) and definitely not a remake of the Steven Spielberg film. And while the music was good, I found it distracting, inserted into the story rather than advancing the story like a musical should. The characters felt undeveloped and ultimately unresolved. We saw some of the brutality of Mister but not his cruelty. We saw kindness of Celie but not her true goodness. And finally the choreography. It was good, if this had been on stage. In the movie, the action of the story stops so the action of the dancing can begin. So it called attention to itself instead of, again, advancing the story without our noticing.

It's not a bad movie. It's just not really good.

Sofia Sofia 💜

[FIoret · 8/10 · 25 December 2023]

Danielle Brooks truly stole the show as Sofia in the film, shining like a star. Her talent and beauty are simply awe-inspiring. Whenever she graced the screen, a smile would automatically appear on my face, and I couldn't help but feel a slight blush. Her performance was filled with sensitivity and power, making her the perfect fit for the role. I have no doubt that she will have a long and illustrious career, deserving of celebration.

I couldn't have asked for a better way to start my Christmas morning than being immersed in the timeless charm of this classic film's stunning visuals and captivating sound. I'm absolutely thrilled to keep playing the soundtrack on repeat!

strong musical reboot

[ferguson-6 · 8/10 · 26 December 2023]

Greetings again from the darkness. It all began with Alice Walker's 1982 novel, for which she was awarded a Pulitzer Prize. Shortly thereafter, Steven Spielberg turned it into the movie event of 1985, with a memorable cast including Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, and yes, Oprah Winfrey. The film received eleven Oscar nominations, yet was shut out in all categories. Jumping ahead 20 years (2005), Marsha Norman created a musical stage book that turned into a smash hit on Broadway, receiving eleven Tony nominations. It was 2015 when the musical revival hit the stage, re-establishing the story as part of the fabric of the entertainment world. Along the way, Ms. Walker's book had been frequently banned and censored, and the adaptations were sure to pick and choose what to cover and how to do so. Here we are forty-one years after the book's publication, and director Blitz Bazawule (Beyonce's BLACK IS KING, 2020) delivers a moving and bold film version (screenplay by Marcus Gardley) based on the musicals, the novel, and the original film.

The film opens on the Georgia coast in 1909 by establishing the bond between young Celie (newcomer Phylicia Pearl Mpasi) and her sister Nettie (Halle Bailey, THE LITTLE MERMAID). When the two are forcefully separated, Celie loses the hope Nettie always provided, and soon she's living a miserable existence as one abused by Mister (a powerful Colman Domingo, RUSTIN) who treats her poorly by regularly taking out his frustrations. Assuming the role she made her own on Broadway is Fantasia Barrino as adult Celie, whose presence and spirit contain the heart of the story.

Memorable characters and performances are everywhere we turn in this production. Danielle Brooks ("Orange is the New Black") is a powerhouse as Sophia, a role she also owned on stage. Sophia is wife to Harpo (Corey Hawkins, STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON), one of the few men trying to break the tradition of abuse ... not that he has much choice. Taraji B Henson is a jolt of energy as singer Shug Avery, one of the few women from this neck of the woods who gained independence and made a life (mostly) on her terms.

The supporting cast is filled with talent and surprises. David Allen Grier appears as Reverend Avery, Shug's estranged dad. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (ORIGIN) appears in flashbacks as Celie's Mama. Elizabeth Marvel ("Homeland") is the unforgiving and racist wife of the Mayor, and one who has such an impact on Sophia's life. Oscar winner Lou Gossett Jr (now 87 years old) shows us exactly how his son Mister turned out the way he did. As this is a musical, we would expect musicians to play a part, though it's quite a treat to see H. E. R. As Squeak (Harpo's girlfriend), Jon Batiste as Grady (Shug's fashionable husband), and Ciara in a critical appearance as grown-up Nettie. There is also a well-placed cameo early on that harkens back to Spielberg's movie.

Covering at least the decades of 1907 through 1945, we see how each character changes depending on their circumstances ... especially Celie and Sophia, as well as an attempt at redemption by Mister. At least three 'showstopper' songs are included here. Taraji B Henson offers a rousing "Push da Button", and Danielle Brooks is adamant about where she stands with "Hell No." Fantasia Barrino's "I'm Here" may be the highlight since it encapsulates her resilience and perseverance. The quality of the film is evident in all aspects: cinematography (Dan Laustsen), score (Kris Bowers), Production and Set Design (Oscar winner Paul D Austerberry, Larry Dias), and Costumes - especially Shug Avery's - (Francine Jamison Tanchuk, Rashad Corey). Serving as Producers are Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones, Alice Walker, and Scott Sanders, to name a few with long time ties to the story. It's clearly a labor of love and passion for those involved, and ends with a tear-jerker reunion over Easter dinner. Not many follow the production trek of novel to film to musical to musical revival to musical film, and even fewer have ever done it this well.

Opens in theaters nationwide on Christmas Day.

the musical

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 19 February 2024]

This is a musical adaptation of the stage musical based on the book. After the 1985 classic film, the hurdle gets to be quite high. It is also part of the recent trend of surprise musicals. They are not pushing the fact that these are musicals and the less informed audience members are getting surprised. This has great actors doing all the skills. It is technically great. It looks great. The performers are working at top notch level. It is very choreographed stage musical and that may be the problem.

I am still unsettled on this idea. The subject matter is so dark that the musical genre takes away some of the needed grittiness. It's not only a musical. It's the old timey choreographed energetic dancing type. It is showy Broadway and that overwhelms the dark complex story. Yet others do it well, but I would suggest that they always do it better on the live stage. There is an artificiality to the production when it's on the screen. It can't help but feel fake.

Incredibly Disappointing

[mykl_tour · 5/10 · 17 January 2024]

The Color Purple novel is one of the greatest pieces of American literature. The film adaptation a masterpiece worth of a 10/10.

What is presented in this iteration of the novel and the film, a musical version has to be one of the worst musicals to ever be adapted to film.

There original film has musical numbers that are magical and memorable. That elevate the story and bring a soul and substance. This musical version has no memorable moments. The strongest being 'Hell, No" which unfortunately lands flats. Fantasia's 'I'm Here' is another powerful track but gets lost in the mix of what are essential filler tracks that have been through the Disneyfication machine. The musician H. E. R. Barely gets to offer her incredible voice to the ensemble.

The story plods along at times incoherently. The rawness of the novel, left out presumably to making it 'family friendly' which is a major mistake. The rawness of this story, or this novel, of these iconic and remarkable characters is the foundation of the entire point of why the colour of Purple is so important as an analogy of God and His Grace.

Each actor shines, but the direction is so lost these incredible actors moments get lost with them. It's hard not to keep one's memory from harking back to the powerful performances from the original film. Nothing can erase the majesty of that film.

A very disappointing outcome that just leads to the conclusion that this musical project just doesn't work.

Loved the original, this one not so much

[lquinlan-17636 · 7/10 · 29 December 2023]

Ok so I thought long & hard about my viewing of The Color Purple last night. I feel it's a bit sacrilegious to say it wasn't my favorite movie. Honestly, I was a little disappointed. I will tell you why, spoiler free!

First the good- the acting, cinematography & production were stellar! Costume & set design were top notch & the vocal performances were great. I LOVE Danielle Brooks and honestly wished she was on screen more (more into that later). Fantasia's acting performance was great, as was the rest of the cast. Colman Domingo, who played Mister, was good too.

Now the bad... ok, so this is a musical, which isn't an issue but I feel that part of the story was lost/glossed over, especially Celie's & Sophia's strife, for the sake of song & dance. I never read the book, nor saw the Broadway production so I can't only compare it to the Spielberg 80's production, which (I may add) is one of my favorite movies. I feel a hard time connecting with the characters and their story seemed to have gotten diminished. I think another 30 minutes could have easily been added to the movie to help with character development instead of displaying year stamps to show the passing of time. It felt too play-like in some parts too.

Celie had a messed up life (putting it mildly to avoid spoilers) which you kinda felt it but not really. Her story felt very rushed with a quick conclusion that felt a bit weak to me. Same with Sophia. Danielle Brooks is very comfortable in the Sophia role & played her so well, that her lack of screen time was felt. She dominated the scenes she was in but felt her character was thrown in a dark hole to just pop up every now & then to remind you she existed. Taraji P. Henson was good as Shug Avery but even she felt toned down, especially her relationship with the pastor, played by David Alan Grier.

I don't know... I love these characters. This movie felt like the abbreviated version of the story. I'm sure anyone who has never seen the original (or hasn't seen it in a long time) would really enjoy this. This movie will most likely be nominated for a bunch of awards. The Spielberg 80's production was nominated for 11 Academy Awards & woefully won none. The movie was robbed that year and should have won at least one. Whoopi Goldberg's (she should have won), Oprah's, & Danny Glover's performances are a hard act to follow but those that filled their shoes did a wonderful job.

The best way for me to describe the story was to compare it to episodic tv where a problem arose & was quickly solved within the 30 minute episode. Granted, the movie is much longer but there were a lot of problems. It seriously felt rushed. It lacks heart. I ball my eyes out at the end of Spielberg's version, but not this one.

Danielle Brooks is someone to keep your eye on (loved her in Orange is the New Black as Tastee). I will be rooting for her!

So, that's how I felt. If anything, the movie made me want to read Alice Walker's book even more. It's good & I will recommend it to people who I think the original may be a bit too much for them to handle, but I really will push the original film to get a better dramatic tellling of The Color Purple.

Terrible remake

[bdsmyth-92784 · 1/10 · 18 January 2024]

The Color Purple has been on my top 5 list of all time favourite movies since I saw the original when it was first released in 1985. This musical remake is not only tacky but misses sooooo much and it DOES NOT work. I had hoped it would be even better given some of the original cast members where involved included Oprah (who gave an excellent performance as Sofia in the original along with Whoopi as Sissy), but no. It was just miss after miss after miss, and the musical numbers at the oddest of moments did nothing except to kill the story line. This version won't even make it to my top 1000 movies it was that bad and encourage ANYONE who watches it to go back and watch the original and really see what you've missed.

So disappointed

[catfanatic888 · 6/10 · 16 January 2024]

The original film of The Color Purple was certainly not a musical with all the constant singing and dancing in the middle of scenes. It was far superior to this one. I would file this under movies that do not to be remade and definitely not turned into musicals. I found myself turned off repeatedly in the middle of a serious scene where hat everyone would bust into song and start dancing everywhere. The music and dancing ruined this film for me. It's a shame too because the actors and actresses were all excellent and would have done much better without the constant distraction of music and dancing routines. This is not a comedy. It's a serious drama. But it was hard to take it seriously with all the silliness in between the dramatic scenes. Sorry but I would NOT recommend this disappointment of a remake.

Fantastic Performances and Impressive Technical Aspects Wasted on a Poor Script

[cdjh-81125 · 6/10 · 25 January 2024]

It's certainly possible that the core story of The Colour Purple just doesn't do anything for me. Because I'm not a huge fan of Spielberg's movie either but at least I thought it was a consistent vision. It may have devolved into misery porn for me after a while but at least it was tonally consistent misery porn. That's not something I can say for this new movie because I can't remember the last time I felt this much tonal whiplash watching a film.

Because the choice to tell this story as a musical wasn't entirely successful for me. Because for as well produced and performed as these sequences are they are in constant clash with the overwhelmingly heinous actions taken against these characters. These women can go from experiencing physical, lawful and sexual abuse only for the filmmakers to jarringly cut to a highly choreographed, energetic musical sequence. It rarely feels smooth and it constantly makes the film feel as if it's at war with itself for what it wants to be.

Those sequences really are gorgeously produced and performed to their credit though as is the entire film. All though often to its detriment, there's energy through every single performance and shot in this film and I really appreciate that they didn't revert to the bare minimum of shot/reverse shot even for even simple dialogue scenes. But for as incredible as these performances are, character wise this script personally left a lot to be desired.

It makes sense that this main character is as passive as she is given the abuse she suffers but it took too long for her arc to come to fruition. Because the only time she ever takes any agency is through other characters. This might work for where she starts the film but it just robs the character of any real development. Supporting characters are constantly swooping in to make her important life choices for her, rather than having her actually receiving any growth of her own, by the time she finally starts making her own choices not only does it feel unearned but also far too late in the film to feel satisfying.

The resolution of her character arc might've been unearned but it pales in comparison to how these male abusers are treated. The husband characters played, admittedly very well, by Colman Domingo and Corey Hawkins are portrayed as abusive to quite honestly ridiculous levels. Domingo's character is basically just portrayed as evil with almost no nuance or depth and Hawkins is written as wholly ignorant in a way that could've made sense but the entire resolution to those characters totally fumbles their entire arcs. There are elements of generational trauma given but it's not explored nearly deeply enough to justify their actions.

The script makes them horrific abusers from almost their very introduction and in the third act the filmmakers have the gall to try and redeem them. Not only does it fall totally flat but I actually found it fairly insulting as a viewer. Forgiveness should have limits but at the very least it should make sense from a writing perspective. Nothing in the first two acts gives any sense that these characters deserve redemption, nor that any other character would forgive them, and it made a large part of the last third totally infuriating to watch.

The Colour Purple was a frustrating experience for me. I may not totally connect with this story but I had far too many issues from a writing perspective to give the film the benefit of the doubt. It is an extremely well produced version of a deeply flawed script. It's completely lacking in depth or nuance and it's totally eye rolling in how it depicts the trauma of it's characters. Musical's are totally capable of dealing with dark subject matters but it's all down to tone and it honestly felt like this script had no barring on how it wanted to portray this story.

Incredible Acting Across the Board

[coachjordan-23651 · 9/10 · 27 December 2023]

The acting in this movie is the best of the year. Probably the best across the board that I have seen in several years. You could feel the passion pouring out of every single character. They took the challenge of making this film and hit it out of the park.

Incredible visuals, music, costume designs enhanced this film to make it magical. It captivates you from the very beginning and keeps your eyes glued to the screen. It makes you feel every emotion. Like you are immersed in the film itself. Happiness, anger, love and sadness. If you aren't tearing up at Fantasia's beautiful rendition of "I'm Here" then you are not watching the film. The Color Purple brought the magic of the cinema back.

A Beautiful Adaptation

[KingKongKyle · 8/10 · 26 December 2023]

This was a truly beautiful adaptation. Turning this dark and often depressing story into a musical gives the material the ability to be empowering and uplifting.

The whole cast is amazing, and this may well be Oppenheimer's toughest competition for the ensemble award at this year's SAG awards (though Killers of the Flower Moon wouldn't be a surprise either).

Somehow this production seems both staged and cinematic, thanks in part to seamlessly moving between interior moving sets and gorgeous exterior landscapes. None of the songs seem to pop up out of nowhere, but rather seem perfectly placed to complement the drama and propel the story forward.

The audience I was with clapped both when Celie finally stood up for herself and later when the credits rolled. It doesn't happen often at the cinema anymore, for an audience to feel in tune with each other and the characters on screen; the feeling that we are all sharing an important experience.

The production spares no expense with beautiful production design, vibrant costumes and hair/make-up, and creative cinematography that captures it all perfectly. This will definitely be a must own 4K release when the time comes.

Good performances mediocre musical

[tm-sheehan · 6/10 · 1 February 2024]

My Rating 6.5/10

I'm a as huge fan of Broadway musicals only a few transfer successfully when they are adapted to the cinema screen .

I didn't get to see the stage version of this musical so I can't comment except to say in my opinion this adaptation although brimming with a very talented cast didn't really work for me .

I read that 13 songs were cut from the original Broadway stage version so it can hardly be considered an authentic version of the Broadway musical .

The composer of the additional music for this movie Kris Bowers has added a few pleasant but forgettable songs .

I felt this version of the original story by Marsha Norman was disjointed missing the emotional aspect of the 1985 movie and that the songs in the movie interrupted the flow of the story.

It's the same story of a black Southern woman Celie struggling to find her identity after suffering abuse from her father and abusive husband over four decades .

Celie with the help of her sisters and an unexpected inheritance escape her abusive husband and is reunited with her stolen children.

I felt the emotional impact was trivialised or diminished a little by adding music and songs to the mix.

The ensemble cast is impressive headed by Fantasia Barrino as Celie the role that Whoopi Goldberg who has a cameo in this version received a Best Actress Oscar nomination in 1986. The role of Sophia played excellently in this version by Danielle Brooks also earned Oprah Winfrey an Oscar nomination in 1986 for her portrayal of Sophia.

Other impressive performances from Taraji P. Henson as the flamboyant Shug Avery and Colman Domingo as the menacing Mister helped make The Colour Purple entertaining for me .

Oprah Winfrey is co producer with Steven Spielberg who directed the 1986 version.

This version directed by Blitz Bazawule cost an estimated $USD 100,000,000 to bring to the screen .

The original 1986 version cost an estimated $15,000,000 and was a huge success grossing $ 98,500,000 it will be interesting to see how the musical film version performs at the box office.

The Colour Purple musical version for me was like attending an Evangelical Baptist revival meeting where sinners repent and are miraculously transformed ,it's a little too preachy for me.

Tries to hard..and fails in everyway possible

[raynick · 1/10 · 17 January 2024]

First off i loved the original and if i hadnt seen the original i'd have no idea of the plot or characters of this movie. It was literally a few words and then more singing. Zero character developement so the audience just has to go off of the original movie. I'm not why the ratings are so high and as high as the original..doesnt make sense to me i wouldnt give it 2 stars. The actors didnt do a great job of acting it was just like they were going through the motions and obviously it was all done in one take. I didnt expect greatness from the movie but i didnt expect it to be this bad. The original is a movie that you can rewatch any rainy day..this one is hard to watch even once. A lot of hate but if your going to make a remake of a great movie you cant just "watch me dance and sing" the entire movie to fill in all the gaps and poor acting. Imagine this movie if the original was never made..i doubt anyone would even watch it and it would make little to no sense at all.

Imagination and creativity to the max

[richard-1787 · 10/10 · 25 December 2023]

I can't believe that I get to write the first IMDB review of this stupendous movie.

Everything, but everything, is good when not downright great here.

The script is always interesting.

The realization of that script is good and sometimes just downright astounding. The staging of some of the musical numbers is pure genious: imaginative, fast-paced, colorful. But there is plenty of variety. The end of the movie starts off simply enough, but grows and swells to become very, very powerful.

The acting by the leads is all first-rate. How they convinced the men to play those often despicable roles I don't know, but you surely cheer when their women finally stand up to them. Some of those moments got applause from the audience where I saw it. (Note: I was almost the only man in the sold-out theater.)

It isn't a short movie, but, as with the only other movie this year that rises to its level, Oppenheimer, I was not bored for one minute.

Go see this movie. Order your tickets in advance, because this is going to sell a LOT of tickets. But go. It will take you through a wild emotional roller coaster. There are moments that are very hard to watch. (This is not a movie for little children.) But everything here is well done, and often superbly done. It will restore your faith in movie making.

enjoyable

[edie_22032024 · 31 March 2024]

It's a musical, great ensemble of cast crew in general, entertaining, for the nature of which, probably just had been emotionally less discomforting, therefore theoretically a bit downplaying of the suffering of characters compared to 1985 version of Spielberg's feature film. Which made the latter still stand out as more powerful.

It's a certain of higher budget cost production with Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg all involved. The box office yet did not have broken even. If compared with 1985 version, by the time it also cost rather high budget if counting on the decades of bucks' devaluation to this day. But it had enjoyed a bulky turnover compared to the original cost back then.

Overall, its cinematically enjoyable, for some, perhaps it's their 90 percent purpose for seeing. Then there you have it.

I give it 8.1/10 *

* recently watched again feels it indeed enjoyable, in that case just corrected the rating as such. Many thanks!

Overcomes it's tonal issues

[masonsaul · 7/10 · 30 January 2024]

The Color Purple is an old fashioned, bombastic musical about resilience in the face of unimaginable trauma. The feel-good nature of the film occasionally clashes with the dark subject matter to create a distracting dissonance, however the film is able to overcome it by the end thankfully.

This is a cast full of boisterous performances which makes the quiet nature of Fantasia Barrino's lead performance all the more powerful. Danielle Brooks commands the screen constantly with a refusal to back down that is pure joy and Colman Domingo imbues his character with a level of humanity that makes the redemption arc work when it shouldn't.

Blitz Bazawule's direction loves to keep things wide for a real sense of scale and it ensures that everything on screen can be taken in. Combined with the luscious cinematography by Dan Laustsen, it's never not stunning to look at. Whilst the songs may be at odds with the story at times, they're all memorable and some have tremendous power to them.

Strong performances and a powerhouse musical.

[cruise01 · 8/10 · 21 February 2024]

4 out of 5 stars.

The Color Purple is a good coming of age musical drama film that is strong with a cast ensemble, musical sequences, and an emotional rollercoaster of a story.

Good plot. Was a bit confusing with all the characters at first til you let the story catch on with who every one is. Its a film that can be emotional with how characters are treated.

It has a good cast ensemble. Several musical sequences that are entertaining. Some that can be forgettable. All in all it is a strong film that takes you on a journey were families get separated. Going through difficult times with an abusive marriage. And coming back together.

A Poignant Journey Of Love And Resilience On The Silver Screen.

[cottonlee-90605 · 7/10 · 2 February 2024]

The Color Purple stands as a poignant adaptation of Alice Walker's novel, exploring themes of resilience and sisterhood. Directed by Blitz Bazawule , the film introduces us to the challenging life of Celie, portrayed with depth by Fantasia Barrino. The narrative unfolds with a mix of heartbreak and triumph, showcasing the enduring spirit of its characters. The performances from the cast contribute to the emotional weight of the story. While some deviations from the source material exist, the film remains a moving portrayal of overcoming adversity and finding one's voice, leaving a lasting impact on viewers.

A Tapestry of Trauma and Triumph

[visualsbyalan · 8/10 · 19 March 2024]

Alice Walker's iconic novel "The Color Purple" has been reimagined for the screen numerous times, from Steven Spielberg's acclaimed film to the powerful Broadway musical. Blitz Bazawule's 2023 adaptation takes the best aspects of these different forms, crafting a stunning hybrid that blends the raw emotions of the written word with the electrifying energy of live performance.

The film centers on Celie (played by Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as a young girl and Fantasia Barrino as an adult). We see Celie's idyllic childhood with her sister Nettie (Halle Bailey) shattered by abuse and separation. Sold into marriage with the cruel Mister (Colman Domingo), Celie endures a life of hardship, finding solace only in the hope of reuniting with Nettie and the distant support of Shug Avery (Taraji P. Henson), a flamboyant blues singer, and Sofia (Danielle Brooks), Mister's strong-willed daughter-in-law.

The film's greatest strength lies in its performances. Mpasi and Barrino deliver exceptional portrayals of Celie, capturing her quiet strength and simmering resentment. Mpasi, especially, is mesmerizing, her expressive eyes conveying a depth of emotion that transcends words. Their on-screen bond as sisters feels genuine, making their separation all the more heartbreaking. Barrino seamlessly steps in as the older Celie, showcasing the character's resilience while hinting at the emotional scars left by her past.

Brooks steals the show as Sofia. Her charismatic presence and emotional range are captivating. She embodies Sofia's fierce spirit and refusal to be silenced, demanding respect with every scene. However, Henson's portrayal of Shug falters. While Shug is meant to be a source of liberation for Celie, Henson's overacting clashes with the film's overall sincerity. Shug's larger-than-life persona, while intended for comic relief, feels out of place compared to the raw vulnerability of the other characters.

The film's pacing suffers at times, particularly during Shug's extended appearances. Bazawule also makes some selective editing choices, focusing on certain aspects of Celie's life over others. While this is inevitable when adapting a sprawling narrative, the film occasionally loses momentum due to these choices.

However, when the musical numbers hit, they hit hard. Songs like "Hell No" and "I'm Here" are powerful expressions of defiance and self-discovery, perfectly capturing the emotional core of the story. The American South itself becomes a character, brought to life with stunning visuals that complement the musical sequences.

"The Color Purple" is a powerful testament to the enduring strength of women, particularly Black women facing unimaginable hardship. It's a beautiful coming-of-age story that celebrates the importance of sisterhood and finding your voice. While a few missteps prevent it from achieving greatness, this latest adaptation remains a worthy addition to the film's legacy.

Pretty Good Movie

[cinemapersonified · 7/10 · 9 January 2024]

Rating: 7.5 Overall, .

Pretty Good to Decent Direction (The direction on a macroscale is good as the musical numbers are well choreographed and the world is set well; the direction on a microscale is good; the direction of actors is good as every performance feels elevated; the storytelling is kinda a messy as it does not really feel like time is passing (despite there being indications on screen), the style also feels very typical to other musicals (as if they just took what they did on stage and put it on the screen); builds tension decently well), Good to Very Good Acting (Good to Very Good from Taraji P. Henson (Plays the extravagent character well (but isn't really given that much screentime)), Good to Very Good from Danielle Brooks (Shows a good range of emotions while simulatinously being the comedic relief character (though really isn't given that much screentime)), Good to Very Good from Colman Domingo (Plays the villian well and feels very polished), Good from Corey Hawkins, Good from H. E. R., Good from Halle Bailey, Good from Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, Good from Fantasia Barrino (Holds her own well and does a good job at being the storyteller), Good from the rest of the cast (Everyone plays their role well and works well off the principal cast (especially in the music numbers))), Decent Story (The concept is pretty true to the source material (but I do have problems with it because it perpetuates bad stereotypes), the movie is also hurt by its PG-13 rating because it feels very censored; the plot structure is kinda a mess as it doesn't feel like the movie is going forward (most likely becasue the passage of time is not really believable, the movie also falls apart in the climax as it feels very forced; the character writing is pretty bad as each character's growth progression feels very forced (especially for the male characters)), Pretty Good Screenplay (The dialogue stays true to the time period (though does hurt with perpetuating bad stereotypes); the humor was pretty good; the symbolism was present (but felt kinda forced); the foreshadowing was present (but forced)), Good Score/Good Soundtrack, Pretty Good Cinematography, Pretty Bad Sound (Used well in the musical sequences but so off when it comes to the sound editing (especially with the slaps and hits)), Bad Editing (There were a lot of continuity issues and noticable bad cuts), Good Production Design, Pretty Bad Makeup (Does not do a good job at showing the characters aging), Good Costumes, Pacing was a bit on the slower side (and this made the movie drag for the final 40 minutes), Climax did not really feel like it ended the movie well as it was kinda forced and not left to breathe, Tone was similiar to both the genre and musicals (especially for the later), The movie feels very censored by its PG-13 rating (so it cannot be as profound as it could be)

SURPRISED ME TO BE SURE...!

[masonfisk · 8/10 · 15 March 2024]

From last year the remake of Steven Spielberg's 1985 classic now a musical (based on the stage presentation from a few years ago). Following the story-line based on Alice Walker's beloved tome to the letter as we follow a besieged woman (who was separated from her sister & unborn children in the first reel when she was young), Fantasia Barrino (who plays her as an adult), falls under the heel of an abusive landowner, Oscar nominee Colman Domingo, where her only release comes in penning letters to her long lost sis & her friendship w/Domingo's side piece, played by Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson. Things take a turn however when Barrino discovers hidden letters from her sister in Domingo's possession (since she was led to believe her sister never wrote back) which spurs her to step out from behind his rule to make a life for herself which brings more love & affection she ever thought possible. Only knowing about the musical from TV promos here & there & generally feeling like a big risk to make a musical from such problematic property due to its subject matter but due to some inventive set pieces (one involving a song number taking place on a large piece of vinyl) the film won me over even though the narrative (something some people'll feel the same about the recent Dune films) won't find much surprise in but the game cast which includes Halle Bailey, H. E. R., Ciara, Corey Hawkins, David Alan Grier, Oscar winner Louis Gossett Jr., Jon Batiste, Elizabeth Marvel & Oscar nominee Danielle Brooks (in the role producer Oprah Winfrey played in '85 original) really makes a case for this film's importance in this day & age.

The Color Purple

[CinemaSerf · 6/10 · 1 February 2024]

Sometimes it's better just not to re-imagine/invent/devise a feature that had such a visceral impact not just on the cinema, but on the theatre and, of course - the literary world in the first place. I"m not sure this isn't one of those. It follows the story of the young "Celie" who is essentially sold to a neighbour "Mister" (Colman Domingo) when she's barely into adulthood - for a cow and some eggs. Turns out his hale-fellow-well-met character is a bit deceptive: he's a bit of a misogynist brute who sees this woman as his property. With her now the plaything of another man, her sister "Nettie" becomes the latest object of the desires of their father and in panic she flees to "Celie" for help. Out of the frying pan into the fire, perhaps - she has soon to get away from there whilst the men folk continue as if nothing has happened. The chronology speeds up a bit now and we find ourselves dipping in at various stages of their lives only discover that little has changed and their opportunities are still tied by their apron strings. Until, that is, the arrival of the jazz sensation that is "Shug Avery" (Taraji P. Henson) who brings with her the winds of quite empowering change. Meantime, "Harpo" - the stepson of "Celie" has found himself a rather feisty and independently-minded wife in "Sofia" (Danielle Brooks) and we start to think that perhaps things might just be about to improve. The only abject lesson in racism to feature here occurs around this point demonstrating the cruelty and brutality that made this story abhorrently poignant in the first place. What now ensues instils a growing determination among these women to assert themselves and thrive on their own terms. Can they? What I found this lacked was the earthiness, the grittiness, the squalor of the 1985 screen version. It's also a musical at times but a pretty sterile and overly choreographed one that seemed to be unsure if it wanted to be "West Side Story" or "Washington Heights". There's an ensemble number by a waterfall with the water flowing with almost symmetrical and flawless evenness. Even the scenes of evil are somehow just a bit too de-sensitised. I think possibly the problem for me was that the powerful performance of Fantasia Barrino was just too good, and the power balled from her towards the end presented almost as if there were space for applause afterwards. Domingo is a good actor, too, but again here he just didn't cut it as either the charismatic charmer or the sexually rapacious bully - though he did fare a little better as the story moved on. The soundtrack has some belters and taken in isolation, there are some great performances here from Barrino, Henson and my favourite - Brooks; but I'd sooner watch the original, any day - it has more authenticity in it's impact.

When Some Things Are Better Left Alone

[brentsbulletinboard · 6/10 · 19 February 2024]

In the interest of full disclosure, I've routinely made it clear that I'm not a big fan of movie musicals. In addition, less known is the fact that I've also never been particularly enamored with the original dramatic version of this story (1985), a picture in which director Steven Spielberg still had his training wheels on when it came to making serious cinematic fare. With those admissions in mind, then, it would appear that this latest iteration of the classic Alice Walker novel would have two prejudicial strikes against it going in, and that assessment would be accurate, as these qualifications sincerely reflect my characterization of this alternative take on this beloved tale. Director Blitz Bazawule's musical adaptation of this tale about a young African-American woman (Fantasia Barrino) struggling to find happiness under harsh conditions in early 20th Century Georgia is plagued by an array of issues, including an ill-fitting fusion of this story in a Broadway format/context, an uneven distribution of production numbers throughout the course of the narrative, numerous over-the-top (and frequently silly) surreal song and dance sequences (many of which look like they've been plucked fresh from a Baz Luhrmann movie), understandable but nevertheless-disappointing plot and character development alterations, and some serious miscasting choices (such as the usually-reliable Colman Domingo, who's decidedly out of place in the role of Mister). This combination of misfire elements makes for somewhat disappointing viewing for those who adored the book and original screen version and does little for winning over innately lukewarm supporters of the material (like me). Granted, the film gets better as it goes along (probably because there are fewer musical numbers in the second half than the first), and its ensemble cast, for the most part, is quite compelling, including Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, David Alan Grier, Corey Hawkins and Oscar nominee Danielle Brooks. However, on balance, this is one of those projects where things probably would have been better off left alone.

As a fan of the orginal and not a fan of musicals, this one landed well for me

[garyvines-01290 · 9/10 · 15 March 2024]

I'm not going to give a synopsis of the plot of this movie because the Color Purple is well known. This one was made into a musical and was on broadway for sometime featuring Fantasia Barrino in the pivitol role of Celie, Tarji P. Henderson as Shug Avery, Danielle Brooks as Sofia, Corey Hawkins as Harpo and Coleman Domingo as Mister. If I didn't know what the movie was about and heard this as the cast I would want to watch it but that's another story.

While there were some departures from the original movie, they kept the heart of the movie beating and to me, the singing was done just enough to not be annoying but enhanced and added to the story.

The actors and director managed to keep the emotion, gravity, humor, drama and tension of the original such that this movie was just as moving as the original. I loved the Whoopi Goldberg appears in it as to give her blessing to it and sort of pass the torch to the younger actresses in this.

I have seen division in the reviews and I'm on the "loved it" side of the house and I'm skeptical of remakes and musicals (avoid Les Miserables at all cost if you're not that into musicals). If you're a fan of any of the actors in this, watch it, you even get to hear Taraji P. Henderson sing, which I didn't know she could. She was a perfect Shug Avery, I was skeptical at first but she nailed it.

The only reason I didn't give his a perfect 10 was the few departures from the original, the length of the movie was a bit long for me but so too was the original and while Fantasia Barrino is an accomplished singer, sometimes her voice is a bit grating to me, especially her long solo in the movie, but that's a matter of taste on my part not talent on hers as that she is clearly a talented singer and actress.