REVIEW: ‘The Color Purple’ is a Must See This Holiday Season
In 1982, author Alice Walker released the critically acclaimed novel, The Color Purple. Over the years, four adaptations of the book have been released. A hit movie in 1985, directed by Steven Spielberg, a Broadway musical in 2005, and a BBC radio play in 2008. Because the novel is told through a series of letters from its main character, Celie, each adaptation has taken its own liberties with how the story plays out. Each adaptation, like the novel, received rave reviews, but it’s the fifth adaptation that may out best them all. Directed by Blitz Bazawule, this adaptation of The Color Purple is not only based on the novel, but it is also based on the Tony winning Broadway musical.
The story focuses Celie (Fantasia Barrino, with young Celie being played by Phylicia Pearl Mpasi), a woman growing up in the South during the 1920s. Raised in an abusive home, Celie and her sister, Nettie (Ciara, with young Nettie being played by Halle Bailey) use music and laughter to escape their terrible reality. When a local farmer by the name of Mister (Colman Domingo) comes calling for Nettie’s hand in marriage, the girls’ father decline and gives him Celie instead. Mister is verbally and physically abusive to Celie, and tries to turn his dangerous ways on Nettie, but Nettie refuses his advances. Banished from Mister’s home, Nettie leaves promising to stay in contact with Celie. But, as the years go on, the contact never comes and Celie retreats inside herself trying to stay alive. It isn’t until the glamorous Shug Avery (Taraji P. Henson) and the straight-shooting Sofia (Danielle Brooks) come into her life that Celie realizes she is more than just someone Mister can beat up. She is a strong woman, who can stand on her own two feet and take back everything that has ever been taken from her.
For those who have read the book, seen the movie or musical, or listened to the radio play, this story features a lot of moving parts. If not done right, the multitude of characters and the many themes can get lost in translation. That is not the case with this movie. Bazawule weaves a seamless tale. At no point are you lost wondering what is going on in the story or how this character plays a part. Each character is introduced with a purpose while each scene plays out with no filler. The musical performances fit into the narrative like they were always meant to be there. Not one song featured in the film feels out of place or distracting. Instead, each performance helps the audience better understand the character singing the song and the story unfolding on screen.
Add in the fact that each actor brought their A game. Barrino leads the cast and delivers a stunning performance. This is not Barrino’s first time playing this character, as she played her on Broadway in 2007 and on the National Tour in 2010, and she proves why she was meant to bring her to life on the big screen. The star completely transforms herself for this role. Henson does well beside Barrino as the sultry Shug Avery, but it is Coleman’s performance as the heinous Mister and Danielle Brooks’ performance as Sofia that will leave the lasting impressions. From the second Mister appears on screen, there is no question that he is the villain. He doesn’t say a word, but Coleman finds a way, through only his nonverbals, to convey that he is the bad guy of this film. As the film progresses, so does Coleman’s performance. Brooks, like Barrino, is also no newcomer to the role of Sofia. The actress played the strong-willed woman in the 2015 revival of the musical. Her performance is already generating award buzz, as it should. She takes this character and makes her shine.
The Color Purple is a musical I highly recommend seeing this Holiday season. The performances are off the charts, the musical numbers are beautiful, and the story leaves a lasting impact. For those unsure about seeing it, definitely check it out when its hit streaming, but I honestly wouldn’t wait that long. As we say goodbye to 2023, end it with a good movie like this.
Grade: A