The Color Purple
First screened around 1995 / Most recently screened in June 2011
Director: Steven Spielberg. Cast: Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Margaret Avery, Oprah Winfrey, Akosua Busia, Desreta Jackson, Willard E. Pugh, Leonard Jackson, Adolph Caesar, Howard Starr, Rae Dawn Chong, Laurence Fishburne, Dana Ivey, Bennet Guillory, Carl Anderson, John Patton, Jr., Susan Beaubian, Leon Rippy, James Tillis, Phillip Strong. Screenplay: Menno Meyjes (based on the novel by Alice Walker).

 Twitter Capsule: For better and worse, a corker of thick-brush emotion via antique devices. Too glossy, but moving. Goldberg A+.

Second Capsule: Softens or skews aspects of Walker's incomparable book; still packs such visual and emotional punch. Goldberg!

VOR: ⑤  Vitally important as a rare commercial juggernaut and heavy studio investment framed around black women's experience, and transcontinental one at that. A key if vexed Spielberg project.


Photo © 1985 Warner Bros. Pictures/Amblin Entertainment
Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: B

Academy Award Nominations:
Best Picture
Best Actress: Whoopi Goldberg
Best Supporting Actress: Margaret Avery
Best Supporting Actress: Oprah Winfrey
Best Adapted Screenplay: Menno Meyjes
Best Cinematography: Allen Daviau
Best Art Direction: J. Michael Riva & Bo Welch; Linda DeScenna
Best Costume Design: Aggie Guerard Rodgers
Best Original Score: Quincy Jones, Jeremy Lubbock, Ron Temperton, Caiphus Semenya, Andraé Crouch, Chris Boardman, Jorge Calandrelli, Joel Rosenbaum, Fred Steiner, Jack Hayes, Jerry Hey, and Randy Kerber
Best Original Song: "Miss Celie's Blues (Sister)"
Best Makeup: Ken Chase

Golden Globe Nominations and Winners:
Best Picture
Best Director: Steven Spielberg
★Best Actress: Whoopi Goldberg
Best Supporting Actress: Oprah Winfrey
Best Original Score: Quincy Jones

Other Awards:
Directors Guild of America: Best Director
National Board of Review: Best Picture; Best Actress (Goldberg)
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