While I wasn't sure how a musical format would work with a story as heavy at times as "The Color Purple," I was looking forward to this remake due to the excellent cast as well as loving the original Spielberg film adaptation. This adaptation is more directly based on the Broadway musical adaptation (which is based on Alice Walker's book of the same name) rather than the Spielberg fan. The film's marketing promised a "bold new take on a beloved classic," and I believe this film delivered on that promise in engaging and unique ways.
While the musical format takes a bit of getting used to, the beautifully filmed, choreographed, and often emotionally impactful musical numbers end up greatly complementing the story. The music spans genres, such as soul and R&B, which helps make the film more impactful. Dan Lausten's cinematography during these scenes is exquisite, which is no surprise given his talent for creating stunning shots, as seen by his work on films such as "The Shape of Water" and the "John Wick" franchise. The film strikes the right balance of having a deep reverence for its original source material while feeling approachable for newer and more contemporary audiences. The performances across the board are terrific, especially Fantasia Barrino as Celie. Well-paced for the most part, the film's editing is cohesive and contributes to an engaging tone. Ultimately, this musical remake has many differences from Spielberg's original film--yet the story's most important themes remain not just similar, but as uniquely relevant and thoughtful as ever. Gladly recommended. 8/10.
While the musical format takes a bit of getting used to, the beautifully filmed, choreographed, and often emotionally impactful musical numbers end up greatly complementing the story. The music spans genres, such as soul and R&B, which helps make the film more impactful. Dan Lausten's cinematography during these scenes is exquisite, which is no surprise given his talent for creating stunning shots, as seen by his work on films such as "The Shape of Water" and the "John Wick" franchise. The film strikes the right balance of having a deep reverence for its original source material while feeling approachable for newer and more contemporary audiences. The performances across the board are terrific, especially Fantasia Barrino as Celie. Well-paced for the most part, the film's editing is cohesive and contributes to an engaging tone. Ultimately, this musical remake has many differences from Spielberg's original film--yet the story's most important themes remain not just similar, but as uniquely relevant and thoughtful as ever. Gladly recommended. 8/10.