"All my life I had to fight."
Where were you on Christmas Day at 11:30 a.m.? Well, Chickadee and I were nicely settled into our VIP private heated reclining seats in a movie theater, sipping Pepsi and a cherry slushie, dipping warm pretzels in cheese, waiting for the opening credits to start and the lighting to dim so we can be entertained. We bought our tickets in advance for Christmas Day. It is time to watch the bold new take on the beloved Pulitzer Prize classic: The Color Purple.
Separated as girls, sisters Celie and Nettie hold each other in their hearts across time, distance and silence. The novel is told through a series of letters spanning twenty years, first from Celie to God then the sisters to each other. But the letters in the movie play a different role. Celie is not living an easy life; she's simply surviving. Then her husband's lover, Shug Avery, comes into town and encourages Celie to ask for more love, laughter, independence and loyalty.
The entire cast has chemistry. Fantasia took the role of adult Celie and made it even more memorable. Her emotions were felt through the big screen. Taraji P. Henson owned Shug Avery, honey. What an entertainer! My favorite character was Sofia played by Danielle Brooks. She commanded attention and comedic relief in her scenes.
And the music...THE MUSIC! I normally do not like musicals but I was prepared for this one. Each actress/actor sang their fancy pants off. The dance choreography and harmony was clap-worthy. I am happy that classic quotes from the movie remained and were sprinkled in between songs. We left the theater and started listening to the soundtrack. Yes, that good!
Bookhearts, make time to rewatch the classic and support this Black cast in the theaters this holiday season. The Color Purple is so worth your time!
Author: Alice Walker
Director: Blitz Bazawule
Producers: Steven Spielberg, Oprah and Quincy Jones
Cast: Fantasia Barrino (adult Celie); Phylicia Pearl Mpasi (young Celie); Halle Bailey (young Nettie); Ciara (adult Nettie); Taraji P. Henson (Shug Avery); Danielle Brooks (Sofia); Colman Domingo (Mister); Louis Gossett Jr. (Ol' Mister); Corey Hawkins (Harpo); H.E.R. (Squeak/Mary Agnes)
Book Published: June 1982
Movie Released: December 2023
Pages: 302
Movie Time: 2 Hours, 21 Min
Genre: Musical Drama
Edition: eBook
Book Rating: DNF
Movie Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤