It was a Pultizer-prize-winning novel by Alice Walker that was turned into a hugely acclaimed movie 1985 by Steven Spielberg. Then, it became a West End and Broadway musical. Now we have the film version of The Color Purple, based on that musical. While there is so much to admire, there is something that doesn’t sit right about making a musical that deals with such shocking subject matters like abuse, racial and sexual abuse and violence.

Set in the beginning of the 20th century in the deep South, Celie only has one friend, her sister Nettie. When her father sells her to Mister to be his wife and rips the sisters apart, Celie lives a life of abuse and never being anything else but a wife for a man who spends his time dreaming of a showgirl, Shug Avery. As the years go by, Celie finds the strength to be a more empowered woman from that singer and Sofia, who was the wife of Mister’s son.

Walker’s book is a powerful read, dealing with a woman’s struggle against the men who treat her like an object rather than a person. At the start, she is pregnant with a second child that, as soon as it is born, is removed by her father and given away for adoption. It becomes apparent that the father is her father. Then, how Mister treats her, physically abusing her and treating her like a prisoner in her own home. Sending her sister away after she refuses his advances and keeping control over the mail, Celie is forced to hide from the world until other much stronger women arrive to give her the strength to fight back.

When Spielberg’s movie opened with Whoopi Goldberg in the lead role (she makes a brief cameo in the new version), it was accused of watering down the treatment of Celie. If Spielberg’s film is watered down, this version is far more tamer, although it still includes the more complex issues but in a lesser way. This then allows the musical numbers. While the songs are terrific, written in a gospel, soul style, which is right up my musical alley, there are a few occasions when the songs become jarring, as if they are dealing with an issue and ending with jazz hands.

That might be slightly exaggerated because director Blitz Bazawule has done an excellent job capturing the mood and look of the period and time. The look of the film is a treat, with good use of space for the choreography (the Shug Avery number, which was used in the original film version, is a particularly stand-out sequence).

The casting is spot-on, with each character working, from the young Celie and Nettie (played by Phylicia Pearl Mpasi and The Little Mermaid Halle Bailey) to the older cast. In the role of Celie is former American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino. As a newcomer, and like Goldberg before her, you would have thought she has been making movies for years. She captures the uncomfortable unease of a woman who has spent her life being put down with believability.

Another name to watch is Danielle Brooks as Sofia. Returning to the role she played on Broadway, as soon as she appears, she steals the attention with a performance that is winning in every way. The film’s single nomination is in the Best Supporting Actress for Brooks, and while she may not win, she has secured her place on the map of Hollywood. Finally, there is Taraji P. Henson as Shug. Another performer who announces her arrival in the film with a punch, she inject enough fun while still manages to never divert from the seriousness of the story, she absolutely shines.

The Color Purple is a film that entertains and introduces the story to a new generation. It has more pluses than minuses, but maybe a simple, harder edge would have worked better than a musical. Having said that, it’s still well worth watching but be prepared for some challenging moments.

4 out of 5

Director: Blitz Bazawule

Starring: Fantastia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, Hallie Bailey, Ciara, H.E.R, Jon Batiste, Lou Gossett Jr

Written by: Marcus Gardley, (based on the novel) Alice Walker and (based on the book of the musical stage play) Marsha Norman

Running Time: 141 mins

Cert: 12A

Release date: 26th January 2024