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The Color Purple

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The Color Purple (1985)

December. 18,1985
|
7.7
|
PG-13
| Drama History Crime
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An epic tale spanning forty years in the life of Celie, an African-American woman living in the South who survives incredible abuse and bigotry. After Celie's abusive father marries her off to the equally debasing 'Mister' Albert Johnson, things go from bad to worse, leaving Celie to find companionship anywhere she can. She perseveres, holding on to her dream of one day being reunited with her sister in Africa.

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Reviews

Clevercell
1985/12/18

Very disappointing...

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SoTrumpBelieve
1985/12/19

Must See Movie...

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CommentsXp
1985/12/20

Best movie ever!

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Keeley Coleman
1985/12/21

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

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smatysia
1985/12/22

A tale of rural black life in Georgia during the early decades of the twentieth century. This is Spielberg, so the production values are first rate. The acting is good, and the photography outstanding. This is largely, I suppose, a feminist movie, as most of it is devoted to the female characters, and how cruelly oppressed they are by their men, husbands and fathers alike, being treated as property, (or slaves) including rape and forced incest being simply facts of life. I was surprised that it was an hour and a half in before the point was made about how evil white people are. The payoff at the end was sentimental, poignant, and powerful, a Spielberg trademark. Overall, I suppose it's a pretty good movie, albeit hard to watch the abuse and cruelty.

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rat_202
1985/12/23

Often labelled as Spielberg's first 'serious' film. What was Jaws, a comedy? But I understand. Watching this, in the 80's it didn't feel like what 'A Film by Steven Spielberg' should be. No aliens, Nazis or sharks. But even as a nine-year old, I found myself really getting involved in the story. I just couldn't stop watching. So yeah, it's a Spielberg film in that respect. Danny Glover gives one his best performances as the cruel 'Mister.' Jeez, after this my sister and I hated him! Oprah Winfrey is impressive in her debut as the fiery Sofia, and Margaret Avery is wonderful as Shug, the beautiful singer who gives Celie something she is sorely lacking - love and friendship. But ultimately, this is Whoopi's movie, and while she's good in Ghost, this is the movie she really should have won the Oscar for. Ah, yes the Oscars. This movie famously received eleven nominations (though not one for Director) and went home empty-handed. There are reasons for this. Margaret Avery's OTT Oscar campaign was ill advised, but Spielberg's omission seems vindictive. I think the Academy hadn't forgiven his somewhat presumptuous move of inviting a camera crew to watch his reaction to the Oscar nominations for Jaws, expecting to see his name on there. But the real message they were sending was 'Stick to blockbusters, Steve. Leave the serious films to the big boys.'That year, Out Of Africa took the big prize, and it's an overlong film with nothing to say. It wasn't until Schindler's List that the world finally appreciated what a truly great filmmaker Spielberg is, yet the evidence is all here. No, the film isn't perfect. Spielberg's love of sentimentality creeps in at times, and John Williams is very notable by his absence. The explicit lesbian scenes of the book are also markedly toned down. But there are worse ways to spend an afternoon than in the company of The Color Purple.

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Morten_5
1985/12/24

Far from reaching the level of excellence of Alice Walker's original novel, the movie is still a good one, with great and heart-warming performances from Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey and Margaret Avery. When the movie was released in 1985, it was a very unusual thing with an all African-American cast and a story devoted completely to the lives of non-Caucasians in the US. "The Color Purple" is still in many ways a milestone and movie that deserves being watched.

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Irishchatter
1985/12/25

I honestly felt like I wanna cry, Celie didn't deserve to be a victim of rape at 14 by her sick father. Then becomes a slave by her "husband" who domestically abuses her. Seriously, it'll make you sick to the stomach. I swear if my partner hits me like that, I would get outta there and call the damn police! I just couldn't understand why Celie didn't run away from him in the beginning?! The poor thing suffered enough especially not having contact with her sister because of him!This film honestly makes you feel so angry, no one deserves to be treated like crap. I honestly wish the women on this stood up for their rights, surely there was at least activism regarding domestic abuse around that time?! There should've been if it wasn't mentioned, it's disgusting and shameful for victims to be left out!I couldn't understand why this film didn't get the 11 Oscars, it needed to be deserved something for awareness. I definitely recommend this to anyone who haven't got around in watching it, it is excellent!

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