Review of The Color Purple (1985) by Leighton T — 22 Apr 2011

It's easy to see how this was right up Spielberg's alley, with its mix of emotions amidst strong themes. This was first real "pandering" to the Academy in accepting him into their club (he needed Schindler's List for that). The overall quality is very strong, but there's an inherent strength it lacks. It seems what is all around it is good, but Spielberg seems a little lost here in how to truly convey what Alice Walker's novel dripped through and through. I think it really has to do with the fact that's he not African American; there would've been a deeper resonance to it had it been made with those hands (a la Spike Lee with Malcolm X or Lee Daniels with Precious). Though a bit misguided, there's no doubt what is here is very well presented. With some of the unevenness that comes before, that is pretty much made up for with the final scene. Spielberg has always shown a tremendous power with intense emotional scenes and this is one of his best. Truthfully it all falls on Goldberg who allows us to feel every single complicated emotion within these final minutes.

Whoopi, in her first true film role shines, creating a Celie so ensconced in her physicalities that when she breaks out that at the dinner table towards the end of the film, it is like a big bright burst of sunshine; the true Celie showing her colors. (Some will say she was robbed of the Oscar that was made up for with Ghost.) As well, Danny Glover and Oprah give tremendous support (I had no idea Winfrey had that in her), and Margaret Avery most of all, who is a lightning bolt as Shug Avery. The music from Quincy Jones is beautiful, and it's easy to see how he was a better fit here than Spielberg's usual collaboration with John Williams. Everything else: the cinematography, the set design, the make-up adds to tremendous production quality and wonderful rendering of this period.