The Color Purple movie review

MOVIE TITLE: The Color Purple

This dramatic and musical movie is now available on digital platforms.

RATING: PG-13

LENGTH: 2 hours 20 minutes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: A

IN A NUTSHELL:

“The Color Purple” was a book written by Alice Walker, which was later turned into a movie and directed by Steven Spielberg. Later, the book was turned into a Broadway musical.

Producers of this lovely remake include Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg, who were also involved in the original movie. While Oprah acted in the first movie, she declined to appear in this one. It’s the film version of the popular Broadway stage production.

THINGS I LIKED:

The cast did a terrific job and includes Colman Domingo, Danielle Brooks, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, David Alan Grier, Deon Cole, Jon Batiste, Louis Gossett Jr., Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, and many more. Terrific casting.
The leading star is Fantasia Barrino, who won American Idol Season 3! It’s so great to see her again! She crushes it.
Teraji P. Henson does her own singing in the movie! Wow! I had no idea she had those musical chops! Rumor has it that she worked with a vocal coach for months to prepare for her role in the movie. Time well spent.
Corey Hawkins is so charming and talented. I loved him in the movie In the Heights. He truly sparkled in that movie musical. The music and choreography in that film are fantastic.
I love that Whoopy Goldberg has a cameo in this one! She was terrific in the original movie.
Fantastic soundtrack! Just gorgeous. This new version elevates the original film by including singing, which was and is such an important element of the African-American experience. The musical numbers and choreography are perfectly suited for the content.
I recently rewatched the original film so that I could compare it with this new version. My conclusion is they’re both great, but I really love this new one.
Great transitions and editing.
There’s a scene in the movie where creepy birds swarm. I’ve seen it myself in Texas when I was there for a conference a few years ago. It’s startling so I asked about it and found out they do it every year. They’re called Grackles, although I don’t know for sure if that’s the kind of bird that was shown in the film.
I loved the visual and musical interpretation at the 50-minute mark when Celie becomes so enchanted by Teraji P. Henson’s character. She sings while standing on a giant record to illustrate the music she feels in her soul. So clever and sweet.
We get to see David Alan Grier play the piano and sing too! I’ve loved him ever since the TV show “In Living Color.” Remember that one?
You WILL cry. The ending is so sweet.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

While the movie intersects the original feature film and the Broadway musical, it doesn’t necessarily build on them to create anything new.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Some kids will be bored.
While there is singing and laughter in moments, the topics of abuse are heavy and dark throughout the entire film.
Smoking and drinking.
Two women kiss. Later, they’re seen in bed together.