The Color Purple

1985 drama

Rating: 14/20

Plot: Black women in the South overcome abuse suffered because of men.

I'm not sure Steven Spielberg was the right black woman to make this film.

This is drenched in Spielbergian syrup, and though it has a lot of great cinematic moments, it's kind of weighed down by heavy-handed directing. There are far too many times when I was thinking about what Spielberg was doing to create an impact with these situations and characters instead of the story doing the heavy lifting. Directorial flourishes distract in this epic more than enrich.

The performances, on the other hand, are incredible. Whoopi Goldberg shines throughout and makes it so easy to have empathy for this character with all this hidden power. Future president Oprah Winfrey is also terrific in her debut, and Danny Glover creates this character who is easy to despise and fear. Top to bottom, the cast is outstanding.