I watched The Color Purple and I liked it. 3/5
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The 2023 remake of The Color Purple brings bold performances and stunning visuals to the timeless story of resilience and sisterhood, but its attempt to blend the depth of Alice Walker’s novel with the energetic spirit of the Broadway musical is only partially successful. Directed by Blitz Bazawule, this new adaptation captures the emotional highs and lows of the story with vibrant cinematography and an impressive cast, yet it sometimes struggles to balance the weight of its themes with its musical approach. While this rendition has many powerful moments, it doesn’t quite reach the emotional impact of previous adaptations.
The film follows Celie (Fantasia Barrino), a young Black woman in the early 1900s South, as she endures hardship, abuse, and separation from her beloved sister, Nettie. Celie’s journey from oppression to self-discovery and empowerment is both heartbreaking and inspiring, and Fantasia Barrino delivers a soulful and powerful performance. She brings Celie’s quiet strength and vulnerability to life, giving us a character who grows and evolves over the years. Fantasia’s singing is phenomenal, and her voice elevates the musical numbers, infusing them with genuine emotion and depth.
Danielle Brooks, who reprises her Broadway role as the bold and charismatic Sofia, is another standout. Brooks brings both humor and gravitas to the role, giving Sofia’s fierce resilience a lively energy that’s infectious. Her chemistry with Colman Domingo, who plays Mister, Celie’s abusive husband, adds layers to their dynamic. Domingo’s portrayal of Mister is unsettling and intense, though the film attempts to give his character a redemptive arc that feels a bit rushed, making it difficult to fully connect with his transformation.
Visually, The Color Purple is stunning. Bazawule’s direction emphasizes vibrant colors, sweeping landscapes, and detailed costumes that bring the early 20th-century South to life in a vivid and captivating way. The film’s aesthetic choices are ambitious, creating a heightened, almost magical quality that makes the world feel rich and alive. However, while the visuals are striking, they sometimes overpower the intimate emotions of the story, making certain moments feel more like spectacle than heartfelt drama.
The musical numbers are energetic and well-choreographed, adding a celebratory element to Celie’s journey. However, the transition between the film’s heavier themes—abuse, racism, and self-worth—and the upbeat musical interludes can feel jarring. Some of the more serious moments lose their weight in the musical format, and while the songs are beautifully performed, they sometimes detract from the story’s emotional depth. The blend of Broadway-style numbers with the serious themes of Walker’s novel doesn’t always work, making parts of the film feel uneven and disjointed.
While The Color Purple (2023) has its flaws, it’s a movie with heart, driven by a talented cast that brings their characters to life with conviction. Fantasia Barrino and Danielle Brooks are the core of the film, and their performances make it worth watching. Despite the uneven pacing and tonal shifts, the film’s exploration of friendship, love, and resilience remains touching and impactful.
In the end, this new version of The Color Purple is an ambitious reimagining that, while not as cohesive as it could be, still offers moments of beauty and inspiration. For fans of the story or the Broadway musical, it’s a chance to revisit these beloved characters in a new light, even if it doesn’t fully capture the emotional resonance of earlier adaptations.