The Color Purple (1985)

Far worse films than Steven Spielberg's laudable if problematic adaptation of Alice Walker's novel have been treated much less harshly. This film, which introduced Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey to national audiences, has been unfairly attacked as an ill-considered and unseemly plea for "serious" consideration from an extremely successful young filmmaker better known for fantasy adventure films. Though a commercial success, this was one of the few major Hollywood dramas to concern itself with the lives of black women. Where are the subsequent black female films? Similarly, it soft-pedals the novel's lesbianism but how many subsequent Hollywood films have done better? The story begins in 1909 as teenager Celie (Desreta Jackson) gives birth to two children (apparently fathered by her own father) and is married off to Albert (Danny Glover), who hates her and wants her sister, Nettie (Akosua Busia). When Nettie resists his advances, Albert persuades the sisters' father to separate the girls. Celie's children are sold to a local preacher and Nettie leaves. As an adult, Celie (now Whoopi Goldberg) lives a life of servitude to Albert who mistreats her shamelessly. He intercepts Nettie's letters to Celie, not allowing the sisters to communicate.

Celie is cut off from all human affection. Celie eventually does receive love and gains self-respect through the timely intervention of an outside force who enters her life in an unexpected manner. Spielberg lacks his usual intuitive affinity for his story material; consequently the film is a bit clunky at times. There are some unfortunate slapstick comic relief sequences and a few of the characterizations are also much too broad and cartoonish. The film was strongly criticized in some quarters for its negative depiction of black men but, if anything, it is less harsh than the novel. The film deserves praise for its heartwarming, empowering presentation of the strength and nobility of black women. It has also been damned for its gloriously lush cinematography as if the lives of black folk were only meant to be shown in squalid environments.

Academy Award Nomination: Best Picture Best Actress - Whoopi Goldberg Best Supporting Actress - Margaret Avery Best Supporting Actress - Oprah Winfrey Best Adapted Screenplay - Menno Meyjes (Screenplay) Best Art Direction-Set Decoration - J. Michael Riva (Art Direction), Robert W. Welch (Art Direction), Linda DeScenna (Set Decoration) Best Cinematography - Allen Daviau Best Costume Design - Aggie Guerard Rodgers Best Makeup - Ken Chase Best Original Score - Quincy Jones, Jeremy Lubbock, Rod Temperton, Caiphus Semenya, Andrae Crouch, Chris Boardman, Jorge Calandrelli, Joel Rosenbaum, Fred Steiner, Jack Hayes, Jerry Hey, Randy Kerber Best Original Song - "Miss Celie's Blue (Sister)"; Quincy Jones (Music & Lyrics), Rod Temperton (Music & Lyrics), Lionel Ritchie (Lyrics).

Performer/Character

Danny Glover, Albert

Whoopi Goldberg, Celie

Margaret Avery, Shug Avery

Oprah Winfrey, Sofia

Willard Pugh, Harpo

Akosua Busia, Nettie

Adolph Caesar, Old Mister

Rae Dawn Chong, Squeak

Desreta Jackson, Young Celie

Dana Ivey, Miss Millie

Leonard Jackson, Pa

Bennet Guillory, Grady

John Patton Jr., Preacher

Carl Anderson, Rev. Samuel

Susan Beaubian, Corrine

James Tillis, Buster

Phillip Strong, Mayor

Laurence Fishburne (credited as Larry Fishburne), Swain

Production Credits

Producers: Peter Guber, Quincy Jones, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Jon Peters, Steven Spielberg

Exec. Producers: Peter Guber, Jon Peters

Assoc. Producer: Carole Isenberg

Director: Steven Spielberg

Writer: Menno Meyjes (based on the novel by Alice Walker)

Editor: Michael Kahn

Musical Composer Quincy Jones:

Production Designer: J. Michael Riva

Cinematographer: Allen Daviau (Panavision, Deluxe Color)