In 1985 "The Color Purple" was released. It touched me deeply. I remember the next morning I was still thinking about the movie.
The movie went on to be Nominated for 11 Academy Awards. Sadly Steven Spielberg was not Nominated. The movie however never won anything. The movie "Out of Africa" went on to win Best Picture and Best Director.
Now here we are in 2008. I just finished watching "The Color Purple" for the first time in 10 years. The movie has held up. To me it was not the Best Picture of 1985 but maybe the best Picture of the entire decade.
If you have never seen the movie I beg you to watch it. You will not be disappointed. If you opt to watch the Best Picture Winner "Out of Africa" you will be disappointed.
3 comments:
I think both movies are of great merit. Out of Africa, for it's amazing cinematography and sweeping views of an Africa that we'll never see again, topped by Meryl Streep's perfect performance, and The Color Purple for it's sheer brevity and depth as a film which was supported by stellar performances by an ensemble cast.
I do agree with you, however, that the film should have swept the oscars, with every female cast, especially Winfrey and Goldberg, receiving an award for her performance. Miss Celie's move from defeated mouse to the enraged and entitled woman who cursed Albert before leaving with Sug was one of Hollywood's greatest transitions and Goldberg played it smoothly. At no time could the audience doubt that there was a woman of substance underneath all of that fear and submission and Goldberg let it progress and unfold in such a way that it was not abrupt, nor unbelievable. Likewise, Winfrey climbed somewhere deep within herself to create a character, and transition, that made me ache with her at the loss of her spirit, which was released, like the breaking of a spell had taken place, upon Miss Celie's catharsis.
Didn't you think Margaret Avery's depiction of Shug Avery wsa right on the money for a honky tonk singer of the era? She evoked a sensuality that carried well off the screen, but showed the vulnerability that we all share, like the time she begged her father to take notice that she was a married woman; also with the spne tingling rendition of "God is trying to Tell You Something." which was so gut wrenching in it's plea to be noticed and respected that it always sweeps me away in it's purity, maybe to be matched, but not exceededby "You're Gonna Love Me" from Dream Girls; however, it was much cleaner and simpler in it's delivery. Conversely, she pulls one into a trance of seductive fluidity with "Sister," which I have found myself humming for the last two decades.
Have you had an opportunity to read Alice Walker's book, or are you just film oriented? Because of the genre, she is able to explore so many aspects of race reltions in this country, and the character development is stellar. I would personally catagorize it as one of the great novels of the 20th century, placing her with Steinbeck, for the way she describes time, hardship and country; Anais Nin, for the way she effortlessly sweeps you into her mind and the mind of the character; and Toni Morrison, for her picture images of the actual subject at hand and the way she integrates it, with play of word and cadence, into the world and all oppressed humanity.
Thank you for bringing up this magnificent film. I am a great fan of it, though It's been about a year since I last watched it. Time to click on Netflix.
Paul
I am reading the book now.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
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