Rating: 
Summary: Stunning, effective and heart-felt...
Review: I saw this within the first week of its release, and I was profoundly shaken by its power. Spielberg, after "E.T." proved himself as a director to be reckoned with. Too bad the Academy didn't think so. There's little to be known about the plight of rural Black landowners during the depression, so we're relying on Alice Walker's novel as the basis of the riveting narrative of Celie's journey through a remarkable life. I remember protests against the film because of Danny Glover's wonderfully centered mean guy (even though he's the ultimate, sad hero). I've seen nastier people in White-centered films, and Danny's nastiness doesn't even come close. Still, he was deserving of a nomination, showing many layers of a complicated character. I really think this is a women-driven film, since the best characters (and acting) came from the many fine women's roles. Whoopi was certainly wonderful, though she didn't show up until a half hour into the film. Celie's young character, played with wonderful strength and pathos by Desreta Jackson was appealing. Akosua Busia was confident, as was Dana Ivey, in a bit of inspired casting, as the rich white woman, a grand display of idiocy and ignorance. Rae Dawn Chong's character should've been developed more, since she figured significantly in the final outcome. Oprah, of course, was the most memorable character, since she had the showiest role...or did she? I wanna know what happened to Margaret Avery (Shug). To me, she gave the best performance in the film. Trashy, sweet, soft, sensitive...she had to do it all. Her final scene with her father brought tears, her strength of character made Celie the strong character that she became. Her career should've taken off after this film. The women are the driving force in this film, and there's not a weak one in the bunch. Larry Fishburne (Swain) had one of his first roles, and Willard Pugh was delightful as Harpo...and whatever happened to him? I loved Avery the most, but Glover, after a great role the previous year in "Places in the Heart", showed great versatility. Overall, this is a film of passion, warmth and emotion. It's always been one of my favorites. The DVD version is lacking in too many ways; I'm sure an anniversary version will be coming out soon. Commentaries would be nice, since most of those involved are still around. I was a bit annoyed that I had to turn the disc over during Celie's most life-affirming scene. There was also protest that this film was nominated for 11 Oscars and won nothing, suggesting anti-Black behavior from the Academy. 8 years earlier, "The Turning Point" was also nominated for 11 Oscars and won nothing. As one critic said, "Does this mean the Academy is anti-tutu?" The whole argument is silly, and no one can explain why Spielberg won the Directors Guild award though no Oscar nomination...this is a great argument for people to ignore awards and critics. This film is a delight...sad, humorous, insightful...and very powerful. You should see this, and have tissues handy. When Shug hugs her father at the end, the power of the music and the moment can't help but take you away. Then, of course, there's the final moment when Celie sees her kids... Then there's Oprah, snapping out of her funk and announcing that she's home again. See it. Love it. It's worth it.
Rating:
Summary: The best movie ever
Review: This was the all time best movie and it is my favorite. No home should be without this movie.
Rating:
Summary: One of the most AMAZING movies EVER
Review: I am so glad they are finally releasing this on dvd, it has been released before I know but that disc is not even worth mentioning.. This disc is going to be great!! I was hoping for a long time that they would re-relase this true gem of a movie and now they finally are, I CANNOT wait to get this!
Rating:
Summary: Strong Overall
Review: Steven Spielberg's first cinematic attempt to delve deeper than escapism produced a rich, heartfelt epic that matched the Pulitzer Prize-winning credentials of Alice Walker's novel, receiving 11 Oscar nominations but famously winning none of them. The Color Purple is a triumph of all elements of production design, nominated for its screenplay, cinematography, makeup, costumes, art direction, score, and three of its actresses - though not for director Spielberg. The snub may have helped push him as an artist toward such prestigious works as Schindler's List. One would hardly guess Whoopi Goldberg's roots were in comedy, given the layered dramatic performance she offers in her first real screen role. Oprah Winfrey (also debuting) and Margaret Avery are the other two-thirds of the heart-breaking dynamic between three black women in Spielberg's brutal world of racial and sexual prejudice. Even Danny Glover's role shows late-blooming sympathy, however agonizingly wrought, which demonstrates the dimension of Menno Meyjes' script. There's nothing simple about this early 20th century South, populated by characters paralyzed by the roles ascribed to them, and wickedly punished when they try to venture beyond their bounds. It boils the blood at the same time that it touches the soul, making for genuinely tear-soaked cinema with a visceral emotional payoff.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT MOVIE
Review: Great movie... NOthing else needs to be said.
Rating: 
Summary: Missing Beauty
Review: Spielberg's version of Alice Walker's Pulizer Prize winning novel may be a work of beauty, but it misses the mark in portraying the complexity of Walker's characters and the spiritual journey they take together. Though his 1980's audience may not have been ready for the dramatic impact of Walker's message, Spielberg's decision to edit and reshape Walker's story leaves viewers with too many of the mainstream cultural illusions shattered by Walker's novel. Spielberg's portrayal of Sophia as a verbally abusive bully prior to her husband's abuse is a sad commentary on a patriarchal society's view of strong and independent women. Spielberg's bastardization of Shug's relationship with her father and the redirecting of her spiritual resolution with the church disempowers Shug especially in her role as a proponent of independent spiritual perception and experience. Spielberg's unwillingness to feminize Albert's character at the conclusion of the film, and his determination to maintain the patriarchal archetype of the "rescuer", destroys Walker's message of spiritual forgiveness established through acceptance and the evolution of the masculine and feminine as it reaches a tentative balance. Spielberg's version of The Color Purple seems to indicate that while he was shocked and moved by the messages regarding oppression and abuse, he, or the audience he intended to address, was not ready for the journey in it's entirity. One would be committing the sin of walking by the color purple without noticing it if they did not appreciate the value of Spielberg's film. It is still a beautiful story with its own entity, its own strenghs, its own message to offer. But it is not Walker's purple vision; it is only a similar shade.
Rating:
Summary: SHADES OF GONE WITH THE WIND
Review: Having been born and raised in the South, I've seen firsthand the injustices heaped on the black population. My father, who passed away a few years ago was raised on the farm in South Carolina and testified that the black population was an unfortunate breed of humanity, void without consience or reason and deserved total disclipine. In 1985, when the movie came out, my parents felt that the world will cease to exist as we know it. What they DID'NT know was that THE COLOR PURPLE was directed by Steven Spielberg, a white man and one of my parent's favorite directors. When it came out on video, I, on impulse decided to rent it and see what the hulabaloo was all about. After 2+ hours of raw emotion, I decided to tell my parents about this movie. I rented it again and took it to my parent's house. Picture this: My parents, friends and relatives thought I should have been tied up and sent to Happy Acres. I told them to humor me and watch it. The hardest hit was my father. He went out to the video store the next day and bought it and watched it over and over again. He was a changed man. I know this is way overdue, but I applaud Steven Spielberg for having the courage to direct this movie in spite of its unpopular themes. This movie is a classic for all time. It ranks up there with Gone With The Wind. I can't watch the end of this movie without being cynical. At every viewing, it's like watching it the first time. A classic.
Rating:
Summary: The Best movie ever; A Classic
Review: This movie is one I watch over and over again...I see and hear something new when I watch it. My emotions run the gamet. Just like the old cliche goes, "I laugh, I cry, and I get angry". I mostly cry because the movie is so touching. My favorite part is when Celie, (excuse my spelling), points her finger at her husband, Albert, and gives him "the speech". He sure does pay for his sins in the end. I do not like to write reviews that give away the plot so let me just say that if you have not seen this run like heck to the video store and rent it. It is a winner!
Rating:
Summary: Must See Movie
Review: This is, hands down, the Best Film I have ever seen. I know this because I can watch it over and over and over and over again and discover something new every time, another twist, another lesson. And it always makes me cry, and laugh, and Sing that wonderful song - "Sister, you've been on my mind. Sister, we're two of a kind, Sister I'm keeping my eye on you." You've heard of Must See TV, well this is "Must See Movie". Do not hesitate to buy it. You will relate to it regardless of your race, sex or age. It has something for everyone.
Rating:
Summary: If you have never seen it....
Review: ....then you absolutely must. It has everything a great masterpiece should have in tonnage. By far and without doubt the finest truest American film I can think of. American! Why? Because everyone else made for the American shores by their own volition and by their own free will to seek the freedom and wealth and happiness they felt they could find nowhere else, but only black Americans really ever understood at what price that freedom came, and they were not even invited to so much as look for it. But you pay them no mind Celie, the fickle Sun may indeed shine equally on the virtuous and the sinful alike, but once you have found that bright star inside yourself then Oh! What a light to see by.
Thank you Mr Spielburg (Maestro...Honorary Knight of Britain)
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