The Color Purple (2023, PG-13)

*Premise spoilers.*

Okay, so I’ve never read The Color Purple or seen the 1985 film adaptation, but I do have the cast recording for the musical (the revival with Cynthia Erivo.) As such, I’m probably well-positioned to watch this new film: I’m already familiar with a lot of the songs, and I’m not comparing the actors to performances that have had almost 40 years to cement themselves in the cultural memory.

Life has brought Celie hardship after hardship. Sexually abused by her father, her children taken from her as babies, married to a hard man who beats her—even her beloved sister Nettie, one of the few good forces in her life, is separated from her. But although Celie has been beaten down, she keeps finding a way forward. As she develops new relationships, especially with her formidable friend Sofia and the vivacious jazz singer Shug Avery, Celie learns to find strength and happiness within herself.

I’m aware that that plot summary goes on quite the roller coaster, but that’s a bit how the film is, albeit at a more gradual pace. This is a story that contains suffering and indignity, along with joy and triumph. And that’s an important combination. Over the years, a lot of Black movies that have gotten Oscar attention have done so by focusing on Black pain. The Color Purple shows us the pain, but it shows us a lot more too, such as many varieties of love and different ways for Black women to take up space for themselves in a place that doesn’t value them.

I haven’t listened to the soundtrack since watching the film, but based on my single viewing, this adaptation does fairly well from a musical standpoint. Many members of the cast have already proven their musical talents through other projects, and the comparative newcomers acquit themselves well. The film makes strong use of the ensemble, with some terrific choreography throughout—that said, certain numbers have a bit of a “proscenium” feel, not taking full advantage of the range of motion provided by a film.

I didn’t watch Fantasia Barrino’s season of American Idol, so I wasn’t as familiar with her previous work, but I think she does a beautiful job as Celie (along with Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, who plays the younger version.) You really get the sense of this woman, who’s had to make herself so small, slowly learning to love and appreciate herself. I’ve loved Danielle Brooks since the first season of Orange is the New Black, so I was excited that she reprised her role as Sofia from the Broadway revival. She’s a force to be reckoned with from start to finish, and I’m very happy for her Best Supporting Actress nomination, even if the rest of the film didn’t get any recognition. Taraji P. Henson is on record as being one of the only main cast members without professional singing experience, but she does great with Shug, delivering a lively performance that pulls you in. The film also features Corey Hawkins, Halle Bailey, Colman Domingo, H.E.R., and David Alan Grief, along with a welcome cameo from Whoopi Goldberg.

Warnings

Strong thematic elements, violence (including domestic violence and sexual abuse,) language, sexual content, and drinking/smoking.