Caution: Contains Spoilers
The classic Pulitzer Prize-winning Alice Walker tale, The Color Purple finds a new audience as a dazzling Hollywood musical with director Blitz Bazawule at the helm. This 2023 inspirational version is a mashup of the original 1985 Oscar-nominated Spielberg blockbuster and the Tony-winning Broadway musical stage play.
The new film also follows the life of Celie, portrayed by Fantasia Barrino, (played by Whoopi Goldberg in the original film). “American Idol” -winner Barrino starred as Celie on Broadway and reprises her role in the film. Spanning over a forty-year period, Celie perseveres and overcomes a life of abuse, eventually finding love. “Orange is the New Black” actress Danielle Brooks, a surprisingly strong singer, also starred in the Broadway musical and reprises her role as the tough and no nonsense Sofia in the film, portrayed originally by Oprah Winfrey. Taraji P. Henson does a great job in the role of night club singer Shugg Avery, originally played by Margaret Avery. Henson does well in animated character-type roles like Cookie on “Empire” and Miss Hannigan in “Annie.” And I love hearing her sing. The handsome Coleman Domingo is believable in the role of Celie’s abusive husband “Mister” which was masterfully played by Danny Glover in the original film.
The production is beautifully brought to the screen with moody colors and interesting angles. The costumes, especially Shugg’s are fabulous. The scenes and sets are characters in themselves with texture and depth. The dance numbers are epic and the soulful songs from the Broadway musical are wonderfully sung and a pleasure to hear again, with few original songs added to the score. New to the production is “She Be Mine,” sung by Young Nettie (Halle Bailey) and Young Celie (Phylicia Pearl Mpasi) about the children taken from Celie at birth that she hopes to see again, as well as the upbeat “Keep it Moving,” an original song from Halle Bailey.
I was happy to see the loving relationship between Shugg and Celie front and center in the story line this time around. Their love is more than implied. We see the two share a passionate kiss and we are all happy to see Celie get the love she deserves. Forgiveness is also front and center. We see all of the horrible abuse but we also see Celie forgive. We see Mister soften and redeem himself and seek forgiveness for his abuse and we see Shugg and her father (played by David Alan Grier) also have a moment of reconciliation and forgiveness singing the iconic “Maybe God Is Tryin’ to Tell You Somethin’” together instead of in opposition.
Don’t look for any changes to the original story line, we all know what happens and we all know how it ends. Getting there this time, you’ll find it to be a soulful experience with inspirational song and dance leading the way from abuse and struggle to hope and happiness.
The film also stars Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Ciara, Tamela Mann, Aunjanue Elles, Lou Gossett Jr., John Baptist, Deon Cole, Stephen Hill, Elizabeth Marvel AND Whoopi Goldberg making a cameo.
Fantasia Barrino has been nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress and Danielle Brooks has also been nominated in the Supporting Actress Category.
Don’t miss the Color Purple.
Director: Blitz Bazawule
Producers: Quincy Jones, Steven Spielberg, Alice Walker, Oprah Winfrey
Studio: Warner Bros.
Release Date: December 25, 2023
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