NotoriousNateB

I am torn on the Color Purple. There are some great elements here and there, but I would be lying if I said that the film worked for me.

While the film handles its sensitive subject matter well, the tone is completely off! I don't know what happened. Spielberg usually knows exactly how to mince the atmosphere within his direction, but there is quite literally joyful, whimsical music following scenes that explore extremely deplorable topics. The music itself is beautiful, but it does not fit the film. The only scene that the music fits is the final scene of a touching reunion, but it does not feel earned because the rest of the film had the same feeling. Perhaps this film was the advent of Spielberg learning how to portray historically serious subject matter; I don't know how he handled it so well in other films but so poorly here.

The story is a mess; there are absolutely some impactful moments, and the payoff at the end of the film is fantastic, but it has little structure overall. Celie is passive character; most of the film includes her dealing with the events happening around her and to her and making no active decisions. The film does a great job at putting the audience in her shoes, but it doesn't do much with her. The story feels like a rapid, random montage of her life with no real device to give it a narrative. Once again, there are points in the film that explore powerful ideas and evoke authentic emotion, but the story does not work as a whole.

There are great performances, especially Whoopi Goldberg. The production is impressive and immerses the audience in the early 1900s well. Both the characters and setting are entirely believable. There are times where it is evident that Spielberg was behind the camera; the framing and the shots themselves are wonderfully done.

With better-conceived direction and a structured narrative, the Color Purple could have been incredibly more impactful. I felt disconnected from the film for almost the entire runtime despite appreciating several elements. If nothing else, this film paved the way for Spielberg to tackle more intense and sensitive subject matter.