The Color Purple

For Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Color Purple, it has been a whirlwind ride since the story’s conception in 1982. The coming-of-age period novel became a roaring success, flying off shelves and winning the 1983 National Book Award for Fiction, but at the same time, it became the subject of controversy. The book was banned in many corners for sexual explicitness, explicit language, violence and homosexuality, but that didn’t stop a Stephen Spielberg movie adaptation starring Whoopie Goldberg getting nominated for multiple Academy Awards, and the creation of a Broadway musical that opened in 2005.

Ghanaian filmmaker Blitz Bazawule takes the reins on this next adaptation, considered a bold and brave new take that incorporates more of the elements from the musical. Torn apart from her sister and her children, Celie (Fantasia Barrino) faces many hardships in life, including an abusive husband (Colman Domingo) and father. The Color Purple follows her struggle through life, the friendships she finds along the way, including a blues singer named Shug Avery (Taraji P Henson), as well as her powerful stepdaughter Sofia (Danielle Brooks). Celie ultimately finds extraordinary strength in the face of adversity, through the indestructible bond of sisterhood, to build the life she truly deserves.

Celie has a miserable existence for a large part of her life and this adaptation does not shy away from depicting this on-screen. Every glimmer of hope is shattered in an instant as the harsh reality of her circumstances come charging back at her. Barrino works tirelessly in the role, and we empathise with her instantly, feeling every step on her rise out of the doldrums she finds herself in. Her vocal talents are arguably underused in this heartfelt movie-musical, but she does play her part in some big numbers that feature excellent singing by the powerhouse trio at the helm.

Henson makes for compelling viewing as the moody bluesy Shug, and Brooks, who has recently received a Best Supporting Actress nomination at this year’s Academy Awards, is spellbinding as Sofia and worth every second of screentime she gets. She really is an EGOT in waiting. The set design, costumes and locations are absolutely fabulous to behold and bring this period spectacle to life, smoothly transporting us to each decade in 20^th-century Georgia as the plot advances.

Where the film trips up is in its jittery approach to character development and the progression of time. It is always challenging for a movie not to feel rushed when it is set over the course of 50 years or so. The musical numbers, as brilliant as they are, seem to get in the way of the drama unfolding and, despite adding some needed respite at times, detract from the severity of several scenes. Some elements of the book, including Shug’s substance abuse are toned down, and generally, there is very little edge to this adaptation as it chooses to play it safer and warmer. However, the female leads bring home the goods and The Color Purple is still an enjoyable, tear-jerking ride.

Guy Lambert

The Color Purple is released nationwide on 26^th January 2024.

Watch the trailer for The Color Purple here: