The Color Purple (2023) Review
I'm not sure if I'm the best person to discuss this adaptation of The Color Purple since I haven't read the book, watched the classic Steven Spielberg film, or went to any of the broadway musical adaptations (apparently this movie has an 2005 musical and a 2015 revival). However, I do have strong opinions about this film I want to share with you all.
As someone who has never experienced The Color Purple, this adaptation was the perfect way to first experience this INCREDIBLE story! This adaptation has it all: breathtaking cinematography, fantastic performances, great musical numbers, and a story that shows why The Color Purple has been such an influential book/movie/musical for over 40 years.
Set in early 20th century Georgia, the movie follows Celie (first played by Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, then Fantasia Barrino) as she endures nearly four decades of abuse from the men in her life while trying to find her lost sister, Nettie (first played by Halle Bailey, then singer Ciara). After meeting several different women in her life, Celie learns what it means to love herself and find hope in the darkest times.
My biggest concern coming into this movie was that the addition of songs, dance, and broadway style musical numbers would take away from the drama and historical realism that The Color Purple is known for. Luckily, those fears are laid to rest very early on in this film as the story balances entertaining and visually colorful musical numbers with powerful dramatic storytelling that is unlike any story I have experienced on screen. This movie takes an unapologetic look at life as a poor black woman in the deep south of the early 20th century while tackling universal themes that audiences can connect with. Self-love, self-respect, loss, abuse, racism, faith, religion, hope, and forgiveness are only some of the themes that tie this story together; all centered around Celie and the lives she interacts with in her multi-decade journey.
The musical numbers never take away from the depth on-screen but enhances it with well choreographed and beautifully sung music from the original stage musical. Each song is deeply rooted in African-American made music genres including jazz, blues, and R&B. The music features a mix of songs from the original stage musical and new numbers written specifically for this film. All of these songs flow perfectly together and are beautiful to watch on the silver screen. The cinematography and direction of this movie are some of the best I've seen all year.
What everyone will most likely take away from this adaptation are the performances and they are right to do so. Fantasia Barrino delivers an Oscar worthy role in Celie, a timid yet kindhearted sister, mother, and wife who endures an unbelievable amount of suffering only to find her inner strength and chart her own course. All while singing and dancing as if she's back on stage. Hopefully this is the first of many film roles for the American Idol singer. Danielle Brooks also delivers the performance of a lifetime as Sofia, the fearless woman who marries Celie's stepson, Harpo (Corey Hawkins). I was not expecting such a powerful role from Brooks after her comedic performance in James Gunn's Peacemaker but she taps into her Orange is The New Black energy with Sofia; balancing humor, charm, and drama to add a new perspective to an already diverse movie.
I finally see now why Alice Walker's 1982 novel and Stephen Spielberg's Oscar nominated film are so iconic. The Color Purple is a breathtaking story of pain and love and thanks to this adaptation, audiences can now experience it with new songs and great performances from up-and-coming new stars of the film industry including Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, and Halle Bailey.
I can't wait to experience the originial novel and movie but I am thoroughly satisfied with this musical experience.
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