“The Color Purple” review: In the fifth major version, the classic Alice Walker story becomes a film musical you will never forget

Alice Walker started the phenomenon with her 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning book, and three years later Steven Spielberg made it into a film that received eleven Oscar nominations. The musical was revived as a Broadway musical in 2005 and received a revival in 2015, winning a Tony and a Grammy.

Along the way, it produced major film and stage stars such as Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Cynthia Erivo, Danielle Brooks and Fantasia Barrino, with the latter now making her film debut as Celie in the new film adaptation of the musical she directed at 18. years back. On Broadway. The color purple is indestructible, and it is also a good word to describe the vision of director Blitz Bazawule and screenwriter Marcus Gardley, who breathe exciting life into the story for new and older generations, but also, to sing an original song from this film to catch up, one really finds a way to keep moving.

Musicals have been going through a rough patch lately. Broadway hits like Cats And Dear Evan Hansen hissed at the screen. Maybe that’s why Warner Bros. have three trailers for it Color Purple emphasized the songs and only used a different melody in each trailer. The studio did the same for the just-released version Wonka musical, and it got off to a promising start, even as audiences realized it was a full-on Hollywood musical. I suspect we will see the same joyous outcome for Bazawule’s version on Christmas Day because it is simply stunning, irresistible, inspiring, spiritual and ultimately hopeful History brought to life in a vivid way.

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I don’t think there is a need for a different approach The color purple? Think again. Here it is by turns thrilling, moving, captivating, emotional, rich and satisfying. It also helps to have a cast that can not only blow the film away but also breathe new life into it Thought we knew it so well.

I saw both the original 2005 revival and the 2015 revival on Broadway and was amazed to see how successfully the creators of the show managed to capture the essence of Walker’s book and the 1985 film in a completely different form to translate (Marsha Norman wrote the book and the series). The songs were written by Brenda Russell, the late Allee Willis and Stephen Bray – the latter serving as executive music producer. The music was slightly revised for the film, although many of the songs from the series were retained. Bazawule, a multimedia artist whose works include Beyoncé’s visual album Black is kinghas, among many other music and film projects, created pure authenticity by emphasizing the gospel, jazz and blues roots of the original song music. It makes everything sound less Broadway and more in tune with black culture and music, which for the most part is an effective reinforcement of the material. Kris Bowers provided an underline perfectly suited to the proceedings but respecting the sound that legions of fans have come to expect from the live show.

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However, this film differs from previous versions in that it takes on the role of the main character Celie (Barrino), a woman who was terribly abused by her husband Mister (Colman Domingo) and separated from her sister Nettie and their children. Here the bleakness of it all is magnified and highlighted by the imagination, both hers and the filmmaker’s. Through magical realism and some dazzling sets that even Gene Kelly could be impressed by (the beautiful choreography is by Fatima Robinson), we are able to visit Celie’s inner world and it helps us more than ever to understand the spirit. ​which forced her to survive everything. the cruelty around them.

Of course, there’s also the bond of sisterhood she shares with Shug Avery (Taraji P. Henson) and Sofia (Danielle Brooks), each of whom help her overcome the scorn forced upon her. Together, this trio forms the heart and soul of The color purple, and the stars filming them couldn’t be better. Fantasia delivers one of those rare film debuts that makes you wonder why it took so long since it exploded american idol All those years ago. Both she and Brooks (who played Sofia for a year in the Broadway revival) left behind the stage versions they played to bring these characters back to the screen in exciting ways. Brooks’ spicy and scene-stealing song “Hell No” closes the show, as does Henson’s sensual and sexy version of “Push The Button”. Henson has sung before (most recently on NBC). Annie Live as Miss Hannigan), but man, does she blow this movie in a way I didn’t expect. She is the unexpected secret weapon, a force of nature.

Another big change is that the male characters don’t just fade into the background. Colman’s Mister is reprehensible in the cruel way he treats his wife, but here the actor presents a three-dimensional portrait of a lost man and applies it to life itself. That’s what we actually have empathy Ultimately, there is something heartening about him and the kind of humanity he exhibits. Corey Hawkins is also great as Mister’s son Harpo, and his relationship with Sofia, Mister’s stepdaughter, takes on new meaning.

Thanks to a great supporting cast that populates the film, including recording stars HER as Harpo’s mistress, Squeak, Ciara as the grown-up Nettie, and Jon Batiste briefly as Shug’s husband Grady. Aunjunue Ellis-Taylor is well suited as the mother to Phylicia Pearl Mpasi’s young Celie and Halle Bailey’s young Nettie (Bailey also wrote the aforementioned new song “Keep It Movin'”). Deon Cole, David Alan Grier appear, as does veteran Louis Gossett Jr., who has some special moments in a hilarious dinner scene as Ol’ Mister, a standout later in the film. No spoilers about the other cast surprises.

Dan Lausten’s vivid color cinematography gives us a vision of the early 20th century South rarely seen in films about the period, especially films about black lives. Production design by Paul Denham Austerberry and costumes by Francine Jamison-Tanchuck round it all off.

Spielberg’s version no doubt still resonates, but credit must be given to him for handing the keys to a black director who brings a unique vision to make it happen The Version stands alone as an authentic and valuable addition Color Purple Legacy.

Spielberg, Winfrey, Quincy Jones and Scott Sanders (who had the idea to stage it as a musical on Broadway) are the producers.

Title: The color purple
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Release date: December 25, 2023
Director: Lightning Bazawule
Screenwriter: Marcus Gardley
Form: Fantastia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Halle Bailey, HER, Ciara, Aunjunue Ellis-Taylor, Louis Gossett Jr., Jon Batiste, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, Deon Cole, David Alan Grier.
Assessment: PG-13
Time: 2 hours, 20 minutes