The Color Purple

There’s less trauma and more beauty in this musical adaptation.

Taraji P. Henson makes a splash as Shug Avery in The Color Purple

“A girl child ain’t safe in a family of men.”

Unfortunately for Celie and Nettie, that belief is true in their small rural town. Their lives are lived under the thumb of callous men who abuse them and treat them as property. Celie (Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as a child and Fantasia Barrino as an adult) has had two of her father’s children though she’s barely a teenager. When her father finds no more use for her, she’s married off to Mister (Colman Domingo), who treats her like a servant when he’s not beating her.  

Celie’s younger sister Nettie (Halle Bailey as a child and Ciara as an adult) is headed toward a similar fate until she runs away. Now alone in the world, except for her abusers, Celie becomes a shell of a person. Quiet as a mouse, she spends her days keeping Mister’s house clean, raising his children, and trying to avoid Mister’s touch — whether it’s amorous or brutal. It’s barely a life, but she’s surviving.  

But survival may not be enough. As new women enter her world, Celie’s life and mind open up to new possibilities.

First, is daughter-in-law Sofia (Danielle Brooks). A rollicking woman who spent her formative years fighting off lecherous relatives and standing up for herself to anyone and everyone, Sofia completely changes what Celie understands a woman’s role in a family to be. At first, Celie fears the fierce independence of Sofia but soon begins to cherish her spirit.

Next, is Mister’s longtime lover Shug (Taraji P. Henson), a jazz singer who uses her femininity to mesmerize audiences. She also cows Mister whenever she feels like it. Shug is at once an idol for Celie and an opening to discover something she’d never considered about her sexuality.

Now that Celie’s family of men has transformed into a sisterhood of women will she be able to break free from her bleak life?

Based on the Broadway musical developed from Alice Walker’s seminal novel, The Color Purple is a lavish musical where hope and humor help to alleviate the pain in the story. Director Blitz Bazawule beautifully captures the interiority of the characters via the music, crafting some stunning set-piece dance numbers. Bazawule adds some interesting visuals to familiar songs, which offer not only context for the lyrics but flare that adds to the visual feast on the screen. He also wisely contrasts the sumptuous visuals of musical numbers with the bleak reality that surrounds Celie and the other women. It’s easy to understand how inviting escaping this reality can be when the camera sweeps over barren land and dark, sparse houses.

In the spirit of adaptation, some things are lost. The horrors experienced by Celie, Sofia, and the other women in the story are somewhat muted, as is the lesbian relationship between Celie and Shug (which was more prominent in the Broadway show and novel). While these omissions hinder the incredible emotional journey the women go on, it also offers a movie that is brimming with hope and humor. It’s an excellent introduction to the material, especially for sensitive or young viewers who may not be ready for the full horrors in the book (or the 1985 Spielberg film adaptation).

And while Bazawule captures the visual language of the musical beautifully, it’s the central trio of performances that really make this film an emotional ride. The star is unquestionably Barrino who boasts a powerhouse voice and the ability to emotionally shatter the audience as Celie deals with loss. It’s also a thrill to watch her grow, both in voice and action as Celie sheds the trauma and oppression she’s lived with her whole existence. It’s an excellent performance and one that exemplifies the power of music in film.

As Sofia, Brooks is a scene stealer. Her Sofia is confident, kind, and tough-as-nails. The arc the character gets is slightly truncated in this adaptation, but Brooks makes the most of her screen time, and her signature song “Hell No” is certainly one of the catchiest power anthems in the film.

The biggest surprise in The Color Purple, however, is Henson. Henson’s Shug is an extremely talented performer with so much charisma, sensuality, and sweetness that it’s easy to see why everyone who meets her falls in love. Her entrance into a local juke joint is breathtaking, as is her performance. Henson makes it believable that Shug Avery is not only the sexiest woman alive, but also a hurt woman, hoping to find healing and forgiveness with her family. It’s a powerful performance and one that shouldn’t be overlooked during awards season.

If you’re a fan of the book, the Broadway musical, or the 1985 film, The Color Purple will be familiar but welcome territory. If you’re going in blind, be prepared for a harrowing, but ultimately uplifting experience.

Verdict: A strong ensemble and direction make this one of the best films of the season.

The Color Purple is rated PG-13 and is available in theaters December 25.