The Color Purple, by Alice Walker, is once again becoming a household must-watch as it graces the screen in a new light as a musical with award-winning talents such as Fantasia, Tamela Mann, Taraji P. Henson, Ciara, and more.
The Color Purple follows the character Celie in early 20th-century Georgia who is searching for freedom from her tumultuous life.
Nearly four decades later, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel has been turned into a musical that critics say offered a fresh take on the 1985 Spielberg film.
According to Variety, “The Color Purple” catalogs a staggering amount of trauma, but takes no pleasure in depicting it — that can be challenging in stories where a character is made to suffer for years before relief finally comes.
Unlike in the 1985 film “The Color Purple” the director of the 2023 musical, Blitz Bazawule depicts Mister seeking redemption from Celie rather than falling into his own demise.
From the gospel-sing long songs to the reinforcing theme of unity and strength in numbers, the 2023 rendition of “The Color Purple” provided healing to the Black community at a time when it was least expected.
An expert from NBC News reads as such:
“One Chicago woman, Eartis Thomas, told The New York Times in 1986 that she knew many women like Celie while growing up in Mississippi, including herself, her mother and aunts, who were all abused by their husbands. Seeing a similar story unfold on screen ultimately lifted a burden, Thomas said.”
The Color Purple made its premiere in theaters on December 25th, 2023, and internationally on January 18th, 2024.
You can stream the film now on Vudu, Google Play, Apple TV and Amazon Prime for $19.99.
Comments