A One Mann’s Movies Film Review of “The Color Purple” (2024).
Originally filmed by Steven Spielberg in 1985 and starring Whoopi Goldberg as Celie (who makes a surprise and uncredited cameo appearance here), this version of “The Color Purple” is based on the hit Broadway musical which ran until 2008. Steven Spielberg is one of the producers of this version: a list that also includes Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones and the book’s author (now 79) Alice Walker.
Many people seem to have been blown away by this one. I’m afraid I’m a bit luke-warm.
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
It’s 1909 in rural Georgia. Young Celie (Phylicia Pearl Mpasi) and her sister Netty (Halle Bailey) have a difficult life under the rod of their abusive father Alfonso (Deon Cole). Celie has been made twice pregnant, with her babies both being “sent to God” by Alfonso. Celie’s only escape is to be married to an equally abusive man – ‘Mister’ (Colman Domingo) – made worse by the forced separation from her sister who she never hears from.
Certification:
UK: 12; US: PG-13. (From the BBFC web site: “Domestic abuse, sexual violence references, language, sex, discrimination”).
- Note: Sometimes 12’s are near a PG and sometimes they are near a 15. In my opinion, the disturbing themes in this film (rape, incest, marital abuse, violence against women, etc) push this well towards (and imho, over) the 15 limit. Be aware if you are thinking of taking impressionable young teens (or younger) to this one. It’s not happy, clappy musical frivolity.
Talent:
Starring: Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, Halle Bailey, Ciara, Gabriella Wilson ‘H.E.R.’, David Alan Grier, Louis Gossett Jr., Deon Cole.
Directed by: Blitz Bazawule.
Written by: Marcus Gardley. (Based on the novel by Alice Walker and the book of the musical by Marsha Norman).
Twitter Handle: #TheColorPurple.
Running Time: 2h 21m.
“The Color Purple” Film Review:
Positives:
- The film is a riot of great colour (or perhaps I should say “color”) and energy during the song and dance numbers. The scene where the glamourous Shug Avery (Taraji P. Henson) arrives by boat to Harpo’s bar is a particularly knock-out section. (It curiously reminded me of Bond’s Macao arrival in “Skyfall”!)
- The acting is splendid with Danielle Brook’s Sofia standing out as a firecracker of a woman who ‘don’t take no shit from nobody’ before going on life’s very rough rollercoaster. The dinner scene where (eventually!) Celie stands up for herself is a tense masterpiece of drama. It was also great to see Louis Gossett Jr. (Sergeant Foley from “An Officer and a Gentlemen”) playing a major screen role again as “Old Mister”.
- Some of the songs (“Push the Button”; “Hell No!”) are very catchy.
Negatives:
- I think I am in a minority here, but while there were moments of cinematic brilliance (some of which I’ve mentioned above and including the film’s moving finale) the whole concoction never fully engaged me. Part of this was perhaps that I’m acutely aware that the illustrious Mrs Movie Mann absolutely hates scenes of child or marital abuse in films, so I was constanly on edge that she was going to say “This is not for me” and want to leave. (As she says, I should have just asked her! Actually – and there’s no figuring her! – this time, although she was “not fond of the whacking” she overall enjoyed the film, giving it 4*s.) Perhaps I need to go and see this one again. (But, to be honest, if I’m going to get a second opinion on something I’d probably prefer to see “Poor Things” a second time instead.)
- While some of the songs I enjoyed, others seems like musical wallpaper and a bit “meh”.
- In a very odd choice, the beach in Georgia (complete with very odd trees grown on it) is identical to the beach in Africa where Netty is seen to arrive. Why do that??
Triggers
There are obvious triggers in here for martial abuse, child abuse and racism.
Summary Thoughts on “The Color Purple”
Hmm… occasionally I feel I’m swimming against the tide with my reviews and this is one such case. Perhaps with a second viewing I might like it more. But I rather doubt it. I think, for whatever reason, this one just didn’t quite click with me. Wouldn’t it be boring if we all loved the same things?
Trailer for “The Color Purple”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPwzBUui1GA .
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