The Color Purple

The Color Purple is a movie musical version of a stage play, which is a musical version of the movie, which is the adaptation of the book. It is the only piece of media with that many adaptations that has maintained quality every single time. The touching, gorgeous, incredible story and music of the stage musical translated so beautifully to the screen and The Color Purple is easily one of the best movies of the year. If you like movie musicals you will love this movie, and if you don’t love movie musicals you should still watch this movie. All the reasons I normally hear from people for why they don’t like musicals don’t at all apply to this film.

Let’s start with the beautiful women who drove this movie. Danielle Brooks also starred in the musical on Broadway for which she was nominated for a Tony award. She was already nominated for a Golden Globe for this version of the show. Danielle was phenomenal, not only in her incredible vocals but in her powerful and emotional performance. She absolutely deserves the Oscar nomination and I will be personally devastated if she doesn’t get it. Taraji P. Henson was also incredible. She played Shug who really acts as a foil of sorts for the main character, she also deserves a supporting actress nomination. And last but not least we have Fantasia who was such a fantastic Celie. And she was following the footsteps of Cynthia Erivo which are extremely big shoes to fill. Cynthia is arguably the most talented person on the planet but Fantasia did an incredible job with the role and she also deserves an Oscar nod.

This is easily the best movie musical since the 50s. Like it's not even a debate or contest. There is not a single movie musical made in the last 3 decades that could possibly touch this movie. I am so so happy Halle Bailey was included in this phenomenal cast. She has such a beautiful voice and is such a wonderful actress that I am glad that she is getting the roles that she deserves. Hopefully this movie and Halle Bailey’s presence in the industry will change how movie musicals are made and how often. Because we really need more of these stories on the big screen and I personally really need more Halle Bailey in literally everything.

The music in this show is so beautiful. I obviously could not get through the movie without crying. The performances are so incredibly perfect. All of the ensemble songs were staged like they were live which made the audience feel so much more connected to them. The lighting and the way that each number was shot made the story feel so big and full, while the performances felt so intimate and vulnerable. Every number was performed in the most incredible way possible. It felt like this musical was always meant to be on screen.

There is not a single element, not a single moment of this musical that needs to be changed or adjusted. The movie is flawless. This is what a movie musical should feel like. This is what every movie should feel like. I am a little angry that I know that this movie was one of the best of the year and it won’t get the Oscar attention that it deserves but I take comfort in knowing that these ladies all have well established and amazing careers that will definitely continue to thrive after this movie. The Color Purple is a perfect 10/10 and everyone should watch it all the time.