What’s It About
A musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel about the life-long struggles of an African-American woman living in the south during the early 1900s.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
The Color Purple is straight fire! Taraji P. Henson killed it, and the whole crew deserves some Oscars, especially for cinematography and supporting actors. I never read the book, but I’ve seen the original 1985 Color Purple movie, and this 2023 version is even better. The casting is on point, especially Fantasia – she’s a beast, a seasoned actor in the making. Taraji, no doubt, proves she’s one of the best in the game. Halle brings that sister vibe so real; you’d want a sister like that. And Danielle, she’s gorgeous and tough, showing it’s okay to be both. As for the men who got what they deserved, I was cheering for that. The movie hits you with some heavy stuff, like when Sofia got messed up by those guys. It had me thinking about real-life incidents like Breonna Taylor and that boat incident in Montgomery, Alabama. Sofia showed how women can’t catch a break sometimes, and if only folks had her back, things could’ve been different. The singing was lit throughout the movie, and their changes for this 2023 version were excellent. I’m hoping this hits Broadway with the same killer cast because it’s got that connection with the audience that would break records live. I highly recommend this as a must-see movie. The Color Purple is Celie’s story, and the performances are off the charts. Fantasia and Halle, as young Celie and Nettie, are spot on, and the chemistry is authentic. Taraji as Shug is cool, but some scenes feel a bit off – not meshing with the raw vibe of the rest of the film. The movie covers a lot of time in Celie’s life, but sometimes it gets sidetracked, especially with Shug. The musical numbers are mostly fire, though. “Hell No” is all pride, and “I’m Here” hits you right in the feels. The South looks beautiful, adding to the movie’s vibe. The Color Purple is a deep dive into a Black woman’s life, dealing with all the struggles. It’s about sisterhood and resilience, a coming-of-age story that hits hard. Even if you’re a fan of the OG Spielberg movie, don’t sleep on this one – it’s the same drama but with more accessible tunes.
OUR RATING – A CONFIDENT CELIE 8.5
MEDIA
- Genre – Musical
- Street date
- Digital – January 16th, 2024
- DVD/Blu-Ray/4K – March 12th, 2024
- Video – 1080p
- Screen size – 1.85:1
- Sound – English Dolby Atmos
- Subtitles – English SDH, Latin Spanish, Parisian French, Canadian French
Extras
- Creating The Color Purple: A Bold New Take on the Beloved Classic
- Join the director, Blitz Bazawule, filmmakers and cast on their high-stakes, high intensity, heart-stopping, and awe-inspiring odyssey to bring Alice Walker’s beloved novel to life.
- Hell Yes! The Iconic Characters of The Color Purple
- The cast, producer Oprah Winfrey, and director Blitz Bazawule explore the characters – their personalities and intricate interpersonal dynamics, as well as their relatability and lasting impact – and how the actors connected and grew as performers.
- In The Flow: Creating The Color Purple’s Biggest Musical Moments
- Rehearsal footage reveals what it took director Blitz Bazawule, producer Scott Sanders, Quincy Jones, the cast, and the music team to push through the stumbles and missteps and hone all the rough edges to get each musical number exactly right.
- A Story For Me: The Legacy of The Color Purple
- The cast and filmmakers discuss the importance of Alice Walker’s novel – its timelessness and how it has touched so many, from book to landmark 1985 film to 2005 Broadway musical – and what it means for them to be a part of this bold new film.