This vibrant musical remake of the classic novel/film has its moments – but ultimately softens the story’s harsh realities.
Just like new release Mean Girls, there’s another modern musical twist injected into this latest iteration of Alice Walker's seminal 1982 book – which has been adapted across multiple mediums over the decades.
Following Steven Spielberg’s acclaimed – and much-loved – multi-Oscar-nominated 1985 movie, the story was transformed into a successful Broadway musical, and now that show has been brought to the big screen, providing audiences with a new way to experience the tale.
The story focuses around Celie (Fantasia Barrino), a Black woman in 1900s Georgia. Growing up, she endured repeated abuse by the man she believed to be her father (Deon Cole), even bearing his children – which were then taken from her. Later in life, she’s forced into a marriage with an abusive man (Colman Domingo), who treats her as a mere household slave.
We see Celie’s path to freedom, a theme recurrent in Walker’s work and embodying her perspective on the liberation of Black women.
Barrino is phenomenal as Celie, which isn’t surprising given the fact she played the part on Broadway, where she received an award for Outstanding Broadway Debut Performance. Surprisingly, the actress has not been nominated for an Oscar though.
In fact, the only nomination went to Danielle Brooks, who is up for Best Supporting Actress. She plays Sofia, who provides plenty of comic relief in the movie. That being said, her performance is also powerful when needed, embodying the strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit of her character with awe-inspiring skill.
Actually, every single member of the cast were perfect in their roles – including Taraji P Henson’s (Hidden Figures) as jazz singer Shug Avery – making the lack of Oscar nominations even more staggering.
While this adaptation doesn’t shy away from the intense and traumatic moments that are integral to Celie’s journey, the inclusion of songs and the use of eclectic colours provide a buffer for the audience, making the difficult themes more palatable.
One of the most refreshing aspects of this adaptation is the balance it strikes between the harrowing nature of the narrative and moments of genuine humour and joy. This dynamic range allows the film to offer something that will likely please a wider audience. But, of course, this won’t be for everyone.
I've heard many people comment on how there shouldn’t be humour and musical numbers in a story this intense.
Your opinion on the matter will determine whether or not this is for you – but it still definitely stands proudly on its own merits.
ESP Rating: 3.5/5
Mike Clarke
Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough, Out Now
Cast: Taraji P Henson, Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Halle Bailey & Louis Gossett Jr.
Running Time: 2 Hrs 21 Mins
Director: Blitz Bazawule
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