THE COLOR PURPLE

US, 2023, 141 minutes, Colour.

Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P.Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Felicia Pearl Mpasi, Halle Bailey, Ciara, H.E.R., Gabriellq Wilson, David Alan Grier, Deon Cole, Louis Gossett Jr, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor.

Directed by Blitz Bazawule.

The Color Purple is a celebrated novel by Alice Walker, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1983, immediately popular, filmed to great effect by Stephen Spielberg in 1985, breakout performance by Whoopi Goldberg. In the 2000s it was developed as a musical.

This film is the musical version, produced by Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones.

Many audiences appreciate favourite stories being developed as musicals. On the other hand, many find the songs, dance interludes, take away the impact of the drama. Which is the case here for different audiences.

The screenplay traces the key elements of the novel and the earlier film version. Action begins in the American south, Georgia coast,. 1909. As the drama proceeds, there are gaps of years, the audience appreciating that not so much has changed in the interim, the screenplay focusing on 1917, 1922, 1936, 1945 and culminating in 1947, a dramatic period of change in the US, two world wars and American involvement, technical developments. But, the focus here is on African Americans, their heritage, slavery, freedoms, prejudice. Yet, the bonding, survival and the creation of culture, music and dance.

And the focus is on Celie, initially pregnant by her father, his taking her child from her, her being purchased by the arrogant Mister, a drinking and violent man, some joy in her cousin, Nettie, who disappears from her life, a sad life of drudgery.

The Color Purple is a strong story of domestic violence, perpetrated by black men, harsh and cruel, presuming there domination over women. But, as the decades go by, the timid Celie reacts against her almost slave-life, is befriended by several women, encouraged, offered some opportunity to move outside her house and its routines, finding herself and her capacities, more and more transformed, with final opportunities to take charge of her life.

That is the drama. And into this drama are inserted a wide range of songs, dance routines, many with melancholy undertones, many with the discovery of exhilaration and hope, the lyrics illuminating the characters and their experiences, the music with echoes of the blues, jazz… And the singing cast have strong, fine voices.

The adult Celie is played by Fantasia Barrino, whose performance has to arrange from the downtrodden through struggle to self-confidence. Mister is played by Colman Domingo, a man to be loathed but, in the spirit of the film, to be redeemed.

There are two significant women who influence Celie. The first is Mister’s mistress, the singer, Shug Avery (a lively performance from Taraji P.Henson). The other is a large and boisterous woman, Sofia, Danielle Brooks, who commands the screen whenever she appears, and has the defiant song, “Hell, No!” Until, punished for her defiance, she becomes a shell of herself in prison. It is not surprising to find that Danielle Brooks is an Oscar nominee for Best Supporting Actress.

The aud ience is invited to identify with Celie as much as they can, sympathy for her initially, empathising with her as Mister dominates her, humiliates her, is physically cruel. But, then we are filled with hope with some of the friendships, some easing of her hard life. And, then joy in the opportunities she is offered, and a reunion with Nettie and the children, Mister having hidden all the letters that Nettie had written to Celie over the years. And, finally, some reward for patience and endurance. (And, yes, that is Whoopi Goldberg in a small cameo.)

For those who enjoy a musical versions, much to appreciate and enjoy. For those not so enthusiastic about musicals, there is sufficient drama over the decades, the journey of Celie, to hold attention.

1. Status of Alice Walker’s novel? Impact on American culture, awareness of African-American history? Steven Spielberg’s film version? The musical version?
2. This musical retaining the core story of the novel, the characters, their interactions, the timespan from 1909 to 1947, the Georgia setting, the coast, the black townships?
3. The insertion of the songs, the lyrics and their meanings, especially “Hell, no”? Celie’s songs, with Nettie? Shrug Avery’s songs and their flair? The influence of the blues, jazz? The staging of the songs, the supporting cast, the singers and dancers, choreography? Blend of realism and fantasy?
4. The focus on Celie, the opening, her friendship with Nettie, sitting in the tree, singing? Mister riding by on his horse, the guitar? Celie and her age, pregnant, the birth of the child, calling it Adam, pregnant by her father, his control, taking the baby and giving it away? The same with the next baby, Olivia? The effect on Celie?
5. Nettie, lively, songs, friendship, the hat in the store window, the approach of Mister, Nettie coming to live with Celie, his treatment of Nettie, violent, lifting her, her disappearance, the promise of letters? Her writing letters over the years, Mister not giving them to Celie?
6. Mister, brutal, smug, drinking, marrying Celie, the deal with her father, bringing her home, his children, her work, virtual slavery, cleaning, cooking, caring for the children? At Mister’s whims?
7. The events of 1909, the transition to 1917, the long years?

Harpo, growing up, his relationship with Sofia, her being pregnant, Mister and his reaction, the marriage? Brittle, Harpo and his fears? Sofia, big, lively, boisterous, her songs, control? The break with Harpo? Her teaming up with the other man, pregnant, the growing family, her visits? Friendship with Celie?

8. Shug Avery, her relationship with Paul, the Minister, his presence in the town, ceremonies, leadership, his songs? (And her final return, the reconciliation, singing together?) Her relationship with Mister, not marrying him, going off for her career, her singing, reputation, lifestyle, wealth? Mister and his continued infatuation and references to her?
9. Harpo, the money, building the club, his father’s reaction? Success, the decision to bring Shug Avery?
10. The transition to 1922, the years passing, the same for Celie and Mister? Harpo and his club? The clientele? Shug Avery and her arrival, flare? Her staying at the house, her friendship with Celie, continuing, her singing, the big production of her arrival, performance, song and dance?
11. Into the 1930s, Celie continuing on her downtrodden situation? Sofia, the incident with the mayor’s wife, offering her to be made, the confrontation with the mayor, his slapping her, her punching him, the attack on her, in prison, for six years, Celie visiting her every week, the meal, her depression? Her being released? A shell of her former self?
12. Harpo, the new woman in his life? Supporting him? If his being like his father?
13. Mister, the visit from his father, harsh attitudes, the treatment of women?
14. Shug, helping Celie, taking her away, Celie going, changes of attitude, urges to self-assertion, realising possibilities? Mister and his continued violence towards her, contempt? Going to town, going to the movies, and the imagination of the song and dance routine in the movie?
15. The 1940s, Mister by himself, in the fields, the plague, the burning of the fields?
16. Shug Avery marrying, their coming to visit Mister, the meal, Sofia and her husband present, Mister’s father? Celie and the defiance? Sofia laughing, coming alive again? Her gratitude to Celie for the visits?
17. Celie and Shug, affection, intimacy, the sexual encounter, the effect on Celie?
18. Charlotte and her seeing the postman, finding the letter from Nettie, searching the house, Celie reading the letters, unexpected joy?
19. After the war, the letters from Nettie, going to Africa, the children, caught by the war, getting the documentation, the irony of Mister giving the box of mementos to Celie, but also going to the authorities for Nettie and the children to come, the offer to sell some of his land to pay the expenses?
20. The happy reunion, Nettie, the children, grandchildren? The outdoor dinner, everybody present, joining hands, the song? Hope?
21. Celie’s journey to self-determination over the decades? Symbol of African Americans? African-American women? And a story of hope?