The Color Purple
The extraordinary sisterhood of three women who share one unbreakable bond.
- Released: 2023-12-20
- Runtime: 140 minutes
- Genre: Drama
- Stars: Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, Ciara, Deon Cole, Halle Bailey, Aba Arthur, Colman Domingo, Terrence J. Smith, H.E.R., Louis Gossett Jr., Tiffany Elle Burgess, Corey Hawkins, David Alan Grier, Fantasia Barrino, Jon Batiste, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Stephen Hill, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Tamela Mann
- Director: Blitz Bazawule
Comments
- seiersenwhite - 6 June 2024
Great Musical
The movie has amazing musical numbers, incredible singing and great acting The period is well portrayed in vocabulary, costumes, and staging It has many emotional moments, and portrays the difficulties of african American women in that place in time, the expectations for them and the relationships with men, society and white folk.
The heart of the movie is the relationship of the sisters Celie and Nettie, that through time resists separation and distance.
It has strong women that reflect the inconformity and resistance to lack of freedom, equality and rights, giving a voice for change The musical numbers are fun and happy, there's a disassociation between these and the drama portrayed. As a viewer you feel the tragedies and unfairness the characters are going through, and the musical numbers erase the possibility to relate any further. It is a little confusing watching two separate ideas at the same time; musicals show the excellence of their voices, and dancing And the acting without the musicals also show cases amazing talented professionals. - moviesfilmsreviewsinc - 17 April 2024
Heartfelt, beautiful
"The Color Purple" is a 1982 novel by Alice Walker, which has been adapted into various forms, including an Oscar-nominated film and a Broadway musical. Blitz Bazawule's new film combines the best aspects of each form, creating a stunning hybrid that combines the visceral meditations of the written word with the thunderous energy of musical performance. The story revolves around Celie, a young girl who is deeply immersed in girlhood when she is in solitude with her abusive father. Celie, pregnant for the second time, must bear her father's disregard for her and be auctioned off as a wife to Mister. This is not an escape but a transfer from one violent household to another. When Nettie runs away, the sisters lose contact, and Celie is left to trudge alone through decades. Her abusive husband is in love with Shug Avery, a "fast and loose" blues singer. Celie finds solace in the distant hope that her sister and children are alive and in the support of Shug and Sofia, her spunky, strong-willed daughter-in-law. "The Color Purple" is a film that relies on the performances of Mpasi and Barrino, who both make their film debuts. Mpasi is a gravitational character with a hypnotic smile and gripping expressions, while Barrino portrays an elder Celie with a sense of childhood naivety. The film's center is affecting despite Nettie's absence. Brooks, Tony-nominated for her onstage portrayal, is a no-holds-barred knockout, giving an undeniably crowd-pleasing performance. Her charismatic presence is spellbinding, and her emotional dexterity covers the full spectrum of affectations. Sofia is heralded for her refusal to be ignored, underestimated, or disrespected, and Brooks' performance demands the same. "The Color Purple" is a film that falls short in its portrayal of Shug, played by Jennifer Henson. Despite the film's authenticity, Henson's overacting is a significant issue. Shug is a diva who uses her performance to cover insecurity and pride, which requires a charisma and depth that Henson fails to achieve. The film's focus on Shug's character and the biographical details around Celie's life is crucial, but it often veers towards less interesting routes, spending too much time with her and allowing the pacing to sputter in her spotlight. Some musical numbers feel expendable and not seamlessly included in the film's major highlights. Despite this, the triumphant musical numbers are brimming with emotional intent, with the choreography and vocal capabilities of the cast not going overlooked. - masonfisk - 15 March 2024
SURPRISED ME TO BE SURE...!
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.
