By EEW Entertainment Editors // CineBuzz// Movies

Phylicia Pearl Mpasi stars as Young Celie and Halle Bailey as Young Nettie in Warner Bros. Pictures', "The Color Purple." (Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures)

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Watch It: In Theaters

Blitz Bazawule’s reimagining of "The Color Purple" emerges as a musical ode to resilience, celebrating the journey of a woman who overcomes sexual assault and domestic abuse to find her voice.

This adaptation illuminates the story of Celie, portrayed in her tender years by Phylicia Pearl Mpasi and in her later life by Fantasia Barrino, capturing the essence of a spirit unbroken by life’s harshest trials. From the carefree days of youth spent along the shoreline with her sister Nettie (Halle Bailey), to the oppressive shadows of their father’s home, Celie's world is one of stark contrasts. Her forced marriage to Mister (Colman Domingo) marks not an escape, but a passage from one realm of violence to another, a testament to her endurance.

Danielle Brooks (left) as Sophia and Fantasia Barrino as Celie in Warner Bros. Pictures' bold new take on a classic, "The Color Purple." (Courtesy Eli Ade´/Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.)

The narrative unfolds with Celie at the center of a life devoid of the laughter of children, the comfort of sisterhood, and the warmth of familial love. Her solace comes from the faint hope that her sister and children are out in the world, alive, and from the strength she draws from the indomitable Shug Avery (Taraji P. Henson) and the fiery Sofia (Danielle Brooks), her daughter-in-law.

The portrayals in "The Color Purple" are the film’s bedrock, with Mpasi’s performance as the young Celie particularly arresting, her magnetic presence a beacon of light in the film’s darker moments. The bond between Celie and Nettie is palpable, a connection so authentically portrayed that it sustains the film's emotional core even as the sisters are parted.

The story of 'The Color Purple' is ultimately one of resilience as a form of resistance, fans say. (Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures)

Reflecting on the film’s history, we recall the controversy it once stirred, especially in the Black community. The 1985 Spielberg adaptation faced backlash for its portrayal of Black men and the depiction of Celie’s lesbian relationship, which some critics saw as a challenge to traditional family values. Yet it was Black women who staunchly defended the film, resonating deeply with its characters. Despite the heated disputes, "The Color Purple" stood as a watershed moment for Black actors and narratives in Hollywood, a foundation upon which Bazawule’s adaptation now proudly stands.

Bazawule’s "The Color Purple" honors its predecessors while carving out its own niche, redefining the cinematic musical with vibrant songs, dynamic choreography, and a fresh take on Alice Walker’s iconic characters. In this new feminist era, Bazawule sidesteps the dated critiques of sexism and homophobia, addressing them with nuance and adding new dimensions to Celie’s story.

Celie’s rich inner world, previously conveyed through her letters, now bursts forth in surreal narrative detours, offering both an escape from her oppressive reality and a deeper understanding of her resilience.

In an unforgettable moment, Celie’s burgeoning relationship with Shug is crystallized with a kiss, a scene handled with greater depth than in previous versions. Some have praised the change, while others have criticized it. This depiction of their connection is an acknowledgment of Celie’s awakening to love and self-worth, a thread woven with care and sensitivity throughout the film.

Credit: Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

Bazawule’s "The Color Purple" transcends the boundaries of genre and expectation, interlacing Celie’s dreams with her growing empowerment, culminating in the rousing anthem “Miss Celie’s Pants,” a celebration of her independence and entrepreneurial spirit.

The film, while taking some liberties in its storytelling, remains focused on the emotional resonance of its musical numbers, capturing the soul of the American South and the triumphs and tribulations of its heroine. "The Color Purple" stands as a testament to the enduring strength of Black womanhood, a vibrant tapestry of song, dance, and the unyielding quest for freedom and self-realization.