The Color Purple (2023)
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An African American woman faces the hardships of an abusive marriage and life in the American South during the early 1900s.
The story
In 1909 Georgia, teenager Celie Harris lives with her sister Nettie and an abusive father, Alfonso. After her mother's death, Alfonso subjects Celie to abuse, leading to her being forced into a marriage with a local farmer, Albert 'Mister' Johnson. When her sister Nettie is cast out by their father, she moves into Mister's farmhouse to be with Celie. The story follows Celie's journey through the early 20th century as she navigates her marriage, the loss of her sister's presence, and the complexities of life in the rural South.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1909 Georgia, Celie Harris is abused by her father, Alfonso, and forced to marry Albert 'Mister' Johnson. Her sister Nettie moves in with her but is later banished by Alfonso. Over the next several decades, Celie's life unfolds: she befriends a defiant woman named Sofia, meets a jazz singer named Shug Avery, and eventually discovers through hidden letters that Nettie has been living in Africa with their children. In 1943, Celie leaves Mister for Memphis with Shug. After Alfonso's death in 1945, Celie returns to Georgia to become a tailor. By 1947, she is reunited with Nettie and their children, celebrating their survival and growth.
- First release year
- 2023
- Runtime (minutes)
- 141
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Blitz Bazawule
- Writers
- Marcus Gardley · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Taraji P. Henson · Celie; Danielle Brooks · Sofia; Colman Domingo · Mister; Corey Hawkins · Harpo; H.E.R.; Halle Bailey; Phylicia Pearl Mpasi; Fantasia Barrino
- Genres
- musical; period drama
- Themes
- resilience; sisterhood; abuse; autonomy
- Tone and mood
- dramatic; poignant
- Premise and plot tags
- historical; musical; drama
- Source material / true-story basis
- 1982 novel by Alice Walker
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews from critics and was praised for its performances and visual style, though it underperformed at the box office relative to its budget.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 72 · scale: 100 · review count: 49
- Awards and nominations
- NAACP Image Awards · Outstanding Motion Picture · win
- Production trivia
- The film is the second adaptation of the novel, following a 1985 version.; The film won a record-breaking eleven awards at the 55th NAACP Image Awards.; Whoopi Goldberg makes a cameo appearance as a midwife.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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