The Color Purple

Looks like it’s February again, so you know what that means? It’s time for “Black History Film Month” again. For those who are new to the blog, I will be reviewing films that are definitely worth checking out during Black History Month. Today I will be reviewing the 1985 classic film, and one of the greatest, “The Color Purple.”

This stirring 1985 film is based on Alice Walker’s 1982 novel which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. The drama adapted for the screen by Menno Meyjes is set in the South and covers 40 years in the life of a black woman who tolerates a great deal of cruelty at the hands of a man in her life until she finally learns to stand up for herself and recognize her special gifts. “The Color Purple” is given astounding dramatic intensity and imaginative descriptions by director Steven Spielberg. Top-notch performances are put in by a multipurpose cast including Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, television host Oprah Winfrey, Adolph Caesar, Rae Dawn Chong, Akosua Busia, and Willard Pugh. Filmed in beautiful locations in North Carolina, the drama is highly enhanced by the soulful music by Quincy Jones.

At 14, Celie (Desreta Jackson) is raped by a man who she calls “Pa” (Leonard Jackson). Over the years, she gives birth to two children from him, and both are taken away at birth. Since her mother is dead, the only person in the world that she can open up to is her younger sister Nettie. Their close relationship is broken when Celie is forced into marrying Albert, played by Danny Glover, a widower of four small children.

Alone, without a friend and scared of this man whom she calls “Mister,” Celie talks to God and lives day by day. The only light in her life arrives when Nettie, played by Akosua Busia, comes looking for a home after running away from “Pa.” Nettie teaches Celie how to read but eventually provokes Albert’s love. When Nettie pushes him away, he kicks her off the farm. Nettie promises to write, promising that only death can separate the sisters. Celie falls into obedience and despair. No letters arrive.

Just when Celie, now played by Whoopi Goldberg, feels like she is all alone in the world, two friends appear in her life. Sofia (Oprah Winfrey) marries Albert’s son Harpo (Willard E. Pugh). She’s an energetic woman who seems to take over her modest husband. Celie has deep respect for this woman who has fought for her rights all her life. Even more surprising, when Celie gets sick, Albert brings Shug Avery, played by Margaret Avery, to the house. This spirited blues singer, who has been his mistress for years, is immediately friendly with Celie. At a nearby juke club, Shug sings a song to her new friend called “Miss Celie’s blues” advising her to “think you’re something.” Later that evening, Shug introduces Celie to the enjoyment of the body, an experience she has never known in this slave-like marriage.

As the years goes on, Celie keeps waiting for a letter from Nettie. Then one day, Shug, who is now married, finds a letter from Nettie. She’s in Africa serving as an apprentice with a missionary couple who adopted Celie’s two children. Celie and Shug search the house and find other letters from Nettie hidden under the closet floorboard. Celie figures out that for years Albert has hidden those letters, until she thought that her close sister had died. At a dinner party, every single year of bottled up anger explodes in an outburst against the man who has abused her body, mind and soul. She leaves Albert and takes control of a family farm left to her by her biological father. She starts a clothing store and is surrounded by the humor and heroism of her female friends. And then, through a surprise which can only be called grace, Celie’s ultimate dream comes true.

In an interview about “The Color Purple,” Spielberg said, “I want audience to feel every color in Celie’s rainbow, the rainbow she makes herself and dives into head first.” Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat stated in their review, “This poignant drama holds up the values of long-lasting love, perseverance, dignity and keeping on in the face of suffering, pain and loss.”

This is a very powerful movie that you should check out. I urge everyone to watch it because it is that good of a movie. Well, hope all of you liked my first entry in my third “Black History Month Film Reviews.” Stay tuned the rest of the month for more.