Not even bad in a good way

Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

The Color Purple outlines the life, marriage, friendships and family of Celie Johnson played by Whoopi Goldberg an African American women at the turn of the nineteenth century in the southern United States. Celie is essentially given to her husband she refers to as "Mister" or Albert Johnson. Albert is in need of a women to care for his children as he is widowed. Celie has great difficulties in life and relationships with the exception of her sister Nettie played by Akosua Busia. Celie evolves greatly within the film and develops strong relationships with other women in her life as she longs for her sister. Celie is determined to survive this life and frequently prays to God for help and salvation.Celie feels alone in her life with little enjoyment. Celie befriends her husband's mistress Shug Avery played by Margaret Avery and relies on her immensely to get through life with a husband she despises. Celie's step-son Harpo played by Willard Pugh marries Sophia played by Oprah Winfrey- Celie is ill prepared to give marital advice to Sophia as Celie only knows violence in her relationship. Celie silently observes her family around her and as she narrates the film allows movie goers know her thoughts. The Color Purple is racially charged as Sophia is punished for defending herself to a white man. Another movie that a deals with the injustice of racism is 42 a movie about Jackie Robinson. Different scenarios yet two people that overcame racism in pursuit to find happiness. The determination of the female characters- Celie, Nettie, Sophia and Shug to create a bond and a family in a time that was difficult for women and African Americans. The director used angles to zoom into times when Celie was so angry at Mister has she contemplated revenge on him. Along with the sound of sharpening the razor to shave Mister. Celie uses voice over narration during the film as her feelings and thoughts are not allowed to known to anyone but herself. This is impactful to the theme as Celie struggles to be a person in this film as she feels worthless and is conditioned not to speak for herself. The film is thought provoking and can even spark anger at the great injustices that take place throughout the film. Ultimately admiration arises for Celie as she develops as a person and friend all the while her prayers are answered.

Even though this made some changes from Alice Walker's novel that made some audience members and critics furious, this is still one of the best films to come out of the 1980's. As the revival of the hit Broadway musical version trods the boards of New York once again, a return visit to it is necessary as is the need for me to see this beautiful film once again.The cruelty of most of the male characters keeps the tragic prone Celie away from her beloved sister Nettie and her two illegitimate children, fathered through rape and cruelly taken away from her at birth. Celie, allegedly ugly, and Nettie, a sweet but strong beauty, are separated twice-first by their abusive father, and later by Mister, the demanding husband Celie is forced to marry simply to be his slave. Watching the shy, insecure Whoopie Goldberg suffer the way she does is often heartbreaking, and hers was one of the strongest film debuts in Hollywood history.In spite of her circumstances, Goldberg's Celie adds a sly smile to her persona, devoted (or at least fearful) to husband Danny Glover in spite of his cruelty. She may hate him, but she gets to know him inside out, even aiding him as he prepares to meet his sexy mistress, Margaret Avery. Whoopie gets a boisterous step daughter in law in portly Oprah Winfrey (another film debut) who along with Avery becomes Goldberg's guardian angel when they see Celie's true inner beauty. In spite of her relationship with Glover, Avery's Shug comes to understand the importance of sisterhood, creating a beautiful bond between these complicated women. Not all of the men are as nasty as Celie and Nettie's papa. Even Glover's Mister has his soft side, and as his cruelties catch up to him which he must atone for, he makes a choice of retribution that certainly saves his soul. Glover may be an s.o.b., but there are layers hidden beneath his brutality. Willard Pugh is the most likable, but he is a bit of a buffoon. His Harpo is no match for Winfrey's sometimes obnoxious Sophia, and often their relationship doesn't seem real. It also makes no sense that Celie, a victim herself, would shyly advise Harpo to beat Sophia. Winfrey comes to life in her confrontation with Goldberg, and her performance is heartbreaking when she is beaten up for saying "Hell no!" to flibbertigibbet white matron Dana Ivey who wants Oprah as her maid. Stage veteran Ivey shows several different angles to this do-gooder who may have sweet intentions, but causes more harm than good. Adolph Caesar is appropriately obnoxious as Glover's father (showing the audience some of the reasons that Glover turned out the way he did), while Rae Dawn Chong is bubble headed, but ultimately showing strength, as Squeak who finds out that "Fine by me" ain't so fine for her. The colors of the country are enhanced by Quincy Jones' excellent musical score. Two songs are thrown in, but neither were in the musical. Director Steven Spielberg was snubbed for an Oscar nomination in one of the biggest scandals in Academy Award history. There's no denying that professional jealousy was partly behind it. How a film which details triumph over tragedy could be completely overlooked for even one award remains a mystery to this day. The triumphs of the finale will have you in tears. Make sure you have a full box of Kleenex out. Regardless of how many times you've seen this, the tears are absolutely going to flow.

Coming in 1985, this was Steven Spielberg's first attempt at melodrama; he had directed Raiders of the Lost Ark and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial 3 and 4 years previously. This inaugural bid for Spielberg as a dramatic director feels a bit clumsy at times, and at times he struggles to portray harrowing oppression suffered by Celie Johnson, the film's protagonist. This may be the result of the film's PG-13 rating, as the harsh themes of domestic violence and incest are at times brushed over too lightly. Despite these issues, Steven Spielberg's dramatic debut is shot tremendously and full of brilliant performances. Danny Glover, while subdued by the film's hesitation to portray violence, is convincing as the abusive husband of Celie. Whoopi Goldberg is fantastic as Celie Johnson, and was undoubtedly robbed of an Oscar in 1986. Margaret Avery is also great as the inspiration to Celie and performs a few great songs, at least one of which also should have won an Oscar. But the real standout performance is from Oprah Winfrey as the empowering Sofia, giving by far the most moving performance in the film. The original music and musical collaboration in the film is superb, adding a lot of heart to the film. If you are a fan of Steven Spielberg, and want to see his origins in drama, this movie will not disappoint. It is a great film for black and female empowerment, but is not as brutal as films like Schindler's List, making it a great introductory drama to Spielberg's decorated career.

I saw this film in the theater when it first came out and remember thinking it was a powerful and well done film. I found it in a video story the other day and screened it for the first time in 30 years. Now I see why it was so powerful. It is, in my opinion Mr. Spielberg's best work. I've never been a fan of his films - although he is a great director - I never liked how he manages to take a good movie and make a ten year old the star. This film, however was a masterpiece. All the actors in this film deliver stellar performances. And most of the major players went on to great careers. The cinematography , sets, everything is super well done. Great film which I have now added to my library.