By Darlene Donloe
Whether it’s the book, the stage production, or the film version of Alice Walker’s novel, ‘The Color Purple,’ its popularity never seems to fade.
On Christmas Day, December 25, 2023, the reimagining of the 1985 film based on the Broadway adaptation of the Walker novel will be released in theaters to huge fanfare.
Luckily for viewers, the musical film adaptation still maintains the bones from the original, but this time, it’s a saucier, more snuggly version.
The story, which takes place over four decades starting in 1909, centers around Celie, a poor, abused Black girl with no self-worth, whose father (played viciously by Deon Cole) has impregnated her twice – both times giving the children away. To add insult to injury, the father allows a man to tear her away from home and her sister, the one person who loves her – to marry him and take care of his home and kids. She’s pretty much a slave in Mister’s home, subjected to violence, hunger, cruelty, and other unimaginable degrading acts.
After their father tries to touch Nettie, Celie convinces her husband to allow her to live with them. When Mister tries the same thing with Nettie, who rejects him, he throws her out of the house and threatens to kill her and Celie if she ever returns.
 |
| (l-r) Phylicia Pearl Mpasi and Halle Bailey |
The sisters promise to write to each other. Unfortunately, Mister steals all of the letters – leaving Celie to think her sister is either dead or has abandoned her altogether – and that she is alone in the world.
Celie, who finds it difficult to stand up to Mister, is left to her own devices - until she meets her husband’s true love…a sassy blues singer named Shug Avery (Taraji P. Henson).
The latest ‘Purple,’ directed by Blitz Bazawule, stars Fantasia Barrino (winner of the third season of “American Idol”), Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Jon Batiste, Deon Cole, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Louis Gossett, Jr., singers Ciara, and H.E.R. (Gabriella Wilson), and Phylicia Pearl Mpasi and Halle Bailey.
Bazawule presents a colorful, spirited rendition of the story that is earthy and smoldering while maintaining the integrity of the original.
Barrino, who has played Celie on Broadway, has put her memorable stamp on the role. She delivers her version of the character with a lot of verve.
Brooks, who earned a Tony nod for the role, is unforgettable as Sofia, the role played by Oprah Winfrey in the 1985 film. The Sofia baton has been passed to Brooks. Hers is a fiery, feisty, and often comical Sofia.
The romance between Celie and Shug is done tastefully. It’s intimate but not overt.
A huge, nonstop publicity campaign including the films’ producer, Oprah Winfrey, and its star-studded cast – hitting every talk show and entertainment event, speaks to just how much faith the studio has in this latest incarnation.
This adaptation is surely worthy of a spin around the many award shows on the horizon. Nods are eminent for Barrino, Brooks, and possibly Henson, not to mention one for best picture.
The 1985 version, directed by Steven Spielberg, starred Whoopi Goldberg (Celie), Oprah Winfrey (Sofia), Margaret Avery (Shug Avery), and Danny Glover (Mister).
The 2005 Tony-winning Broadway production was a box-office success. The 2015 Revival starred Cynthia Erivo and Jennifer Hudson.
Walker won the Pulitzer for her novel, becoming the first Black woman to win the prize for fiction.
On the DONLOE SCALE: D ( don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likable), O (oh, yeah), and E (exceptional), ‘The Color Purple’ gets an E (exceptional).
‘The Color Purple’
Rated: PG-13 for incest, rape, racism and abuse.
Running time: 2 hours 20 minutes
No comments:
Post a Comment