The Color Purple
1986
***½
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Danny Glover, Margaret Avery, Akosua Busia, Adolph Caesar, Rae Dawn Chong
In the early 20th century, Celie Harris Johnson, a young black woman, is separated from her beloved sister and forced to marry an abusive farmer. Celie's long journey through adversity and self-discovery is Steven Spielberg's first venture into serious drama after a number of blockbusters. His well-acted and handsomely mounted film compellingly explores racism, sexism, and empowerment, but it feels a bit too safe, sterile, and crowdpleasing. Based on Alice Walker's 1982 novel, which unfolds through a series of letters.
