The Color Purple (2023)

When the idea for a musical based on Alice Walker’s The Color Purple first came up, it was understandable why there would be some who would consider it a really bad idea to make. The novel and original film adaptation are loved by so many, and the idea of adding songs into what’s already a very powerful story could be seen as superfluous or just out of place. Jeff Beck said in his review, “However, all of that was quickly dismissed when the Broadway show became a big success, earning a whopping 11 Tony Award nominations in the process.” Even though it may have taken a while to make, a film adaptation was announced in late 2018, finally giving everyone else the opportunity to see how well a 2023 musical version of the classic story holds up.

Starting in Georgia in 1909, we meet young Celie Harris (Phylicia Pearl Mpasi), who lives with her father Alfonso (Deon Cole) and sister Nettie (Halle Bailey). Her father is a very cruel person who began raping her after the death of her mother, and she gave birth to two babies that Alfonso took away. He then forces her to marry a farmer named Mister, played by Colman Domingo, who also abuses her. Trying to escape their father, Nettie moves in with them for a small time, but is kicked out after rejecting Mister trying to come over her. As the years go by, Celie (Fantasia Barrino) stays stuck in this abusive marriage, with other people entering her life along the way, including the loud wife of Mister’s son Harpo (Corey Hawkins), Sofia (Danielle Brooks), and a jazz singer that Mister is seeing named Shug Avery (Taraji P. Henson), while also thinking if she’ll ever hear back from her very missed sister.

Beck credited, “Within just a few minutes, this feature film adaptation of Alice Walker's novel and the hit Broadway show goes a long way towards silencing any doubters as to whether such a thing could possibly work. The music, for the most part, is quite good. There's a fine mix of catchy, uplifting, and generally well-suited numbers to go along with this emotional tale of family and making your way through a terrible situation. The presentation of the musical numbers does come off as a bit stagey at times, but it's a musical, and such a handsomely-mounted one, that chances are you either won't notice or simply won't care.”

You could easily continue with how great the film looks, with its impressive production design and costumes beautifully bringing the story to life, and while those elements do deserve all of that credit, the main part that makes the film work as well as it does is the phenomenal cast. Nominated for SAG’s Best Cast award as one of the five best ensembles of the year, the cast includes Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks (who also earned an Oscar nomination), Taraji P. Henson, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, and many more. Beck said, “Because of them, the emotional richness of the material comes through perfectly, making it remarkably easy to get engaged with the characters and their intriguing storylines.”

Overall, despite there being no particular reason that a musical version of this story being able to work, the creators of the original show (and subsequently these filmmakers) have proved that, with the right kind of music & a remarkably talented cast, even a strange idea like this can turn out extremely well. As always, it’s a complete enjoyment to be taken completely by surprise by something like this, especially when it surprisingly ends up being one of the very best films of that year.

Blitz Bazawule’s “The Color Purple” is an amazing musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s classic novel and the great Broadway show, brought to life by a remarkably talented cast, and having an impressive selection of songs, ending up being a surprising success and one of the best films of 2023.

If you remember my review of the original movie and how much I loved that one, I was surprised that they decided to come out with a musical version of this play. When I saw it on Max while exercising, I was surprised by it that I loved it. Both films are good in their own ways and I think everyone should see the musical version if they have Max. They will love this film a lot as it is very fitting with this month.

Next week I will finish off this year’s “Black History Movie Month” with another biopic. Apologies for the late posting. Once again, I completely forgot what day of the week it was and that I had to make this review.