The Color Purple: Movie and Fashion Review

 A Timeless Tale Reimagined for the 21st Century

**SPOILERS AHEAD**

I hadb’t cried so hard since my mother’s passing and the pain felt as real now as it did six years ago. I sat inside the AMC South Bay theater watching The Color Purple and feeling terrible heartache. The main character, Celie, played by Fantasia Barrino, was singing her heart out, reveling in her emancipation from Mister and society’s expectations.

Celie felt empowered. She felt loved. And most importantly, she had learned to love herself. It was a transformation that had taken forty years to happen. During that time, Celie had been living in hell under the abusive Mister. In addition, the weight of poverty and limited options for Black women during the early twentieth century made life bleak in many ways. But Celie’s journey to personal emancipation was an act of defiance way ahead of its time.

The Color Purple film was part story and part musical. It begins in 1907 with young Celie and her sister Netie sitting in a tree singing and playing together. The girls lived near a beach and visited the area often. The girls resided with their father Alphonse who owned the town’s general store. When we first meet Celie she is pregnant despite her young age — and it’s not her first pregnancy.

Nettie goes to school while Celie works the store under her father’s watchful eye. Soon after Celie gives birth, her infant is taken away by Alphonse. Celie is devastated and doesn’t understand why she can’t care for her children. Celie reflects on a happier time when her other was alive. Her mother taught her how to sew and Celie has developed a talent for making clothes.

The movie had plenty of singing and dancing, punctuated with dramatic moments and even some comedy. When Celie laughs it’s as if joy took shape within her and manifested into a happy sound. When she cries, the gray sky matches her pain. Celie is given to Mister as his new wife (i.e. slave). Mister has three children from a previous marriage and Celie is responsible for their care as well as the upkeep of Mister’s dilapidated house.

From the start of the film, the audience is not only presented with singing and dancing but also the fashion of the times. When we first meet Celie and Nettie they wear long dresses or skirts with laced-up ankle boots. Nettie is the more colorful dresser wearing a blouse with polka dots and ribbon neckties and wide-brim hats or bonnets on her head. Celie often wears her hair out or is covered by a scarf. Her clothing is drab colors of brown or gray and often dirty.

The movie takes us through every decade up until 1947. During each decade the fashion shifts to match the times. The dresses go from maxi length to midi length. The colors become brighter and take on various designs from long sleeves to short to sleeveless. Dresses have more personality with more polka dots, stripes, and geometric patterns. Women wear smaller hats on headbands with adornments in their hair. Hair styles change as well from short dos to updos and long hair. There are more accessories like long pearls, large earrings, full-length gloves, and smaller purses.

In addition, the town grows to meet the changing needs of the locals. Nettie has run away after being attacked by Mister and as the years pass, Celie wonders if her sister is even alive. As Celie grows into adulthood, she has become more skilled at sewing, the upkeep of Mister’s house, and cooking. Mister continues to beat her for every little thing and Celie continues to dress in drab-colored dresses.

Clie’s life takes a turn for the better when Shug Avery, played by Taraji P. Henson, comes to town. Henson’s character is a successful singer who has toured the world with her band, done photo shoots, and become the talk of the town. The men adore her and the women gossip about her. Mister and Shug have a relationship and is thrilled to learn that Shug is coming to town. He gets dressed up and has Celie prepare a room for Shug’s arrival.

At first, Shug is happy to be reunited with Mister (who we learn his name is Albert) and rekindle their romance. Shug doesn’t care about Albert being with Celie — married or not. Celie is curious about Shug and Mister’s obsession with her. Shug comes to their home dressed in furs and finery. Her colors are bright — reds, creams, and silvers. Celie is amazed by Shug’s appearance and luxe outfits.

Shug’s specialty is singing the Blues, but she’s also a religious woman and wants to reconnect with her father, the town’s pastor. We learn that he and Shug fell out when she decided to become a professional singer. We also learn that Albert’s oldest child, his son Harpo, has a strong-willed girlfriend named Sophia She is pregnant with their first baby. Albert doesn’t approve of Sophia because she speaks her mind and won’t cower to any man. Despite Albert’s disapproval, the two marry and Harpo builds his wife a house on some land gifted to him by his grandfather.

Sophia is another influence on Celie. Sophia tells Celie that she shouldn’t let Nister boss her around and beat her. Celie agrees but is too afraid to challenge Mister. Besides, Mister is less abusive towards her with Shug around which gives Celie some respite from Mister’s violence. Sophia doesn’t agree and when she and Harpo have a falling out, Celie sees Sophia leave Harpo to begin a new life elsewhere.

Harpo decides to turn their former home into a juke joint. The place becomes an instant hit, drawing large crowds. One night, Shug makes an appearance with her band and the joint is jumping. Everyone comes out to hear Shug sing and dance. Harpo has moved on with a new woman, Squeak, and when Sophia shows up with her new guy, a professional boxer, tensions spill over, leading to a brawl. Shug grabs Celie and takes her to a movie in the next town.

Shug and Celie develop an intimate relationship and Shug encourages Celie to stand up to Mister. Celie is still reluctant to face Mister but her resolve is building. Again as Celie grows older, the fashions change as well, Celie dons more fashionable and colorful dresses. Her outfits are patterned with stripes and floral designs. Celie wears heels and pumps. She begins to carry purses and wear hats with lace.

The Color Purple is an emotional rollercoaster. We are with Celie from beginning to end. Celie’s trauma turns into triumph. She learns to stand up to Mister, becomes a business owner, and reunites with her sister. Throughout the movie, the audience is right there were her in all the ups and downs. Celie’s story, based on the novel by Alice Walker, is relevant today. So many of us want to free ourselves from harmful situations but don’t know how. It takes courage and strength to get free. Celie learned that she was worth more than what Mister saw in her. We are all worth more than the limitations others place on us. We are all The Color Purple.

I give The Color Purple five out of five stars. A must-see!