‘The Color Purple’ rave reviews: ‘One of the best film ensembles of the year,’ Fantasia Barrino ‘nails every moment’

On December 25, 2023, Warner Bros. Pictures released “The Color Purple,” a musical coming-of-age drama directed by Blitz Bazawule. Critics have responded well to the film, which holds fresh at Rotten Tomatoes with an 89% rating. Golden Globe nominee Fantasia Barrino makes a powerful screen debut as Celie, the role that made Whoopi Goldberg a star in 1985. This musical remake combines elements from the original movie, Alice Walker‘s novel and the Broadway musical. It is produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones. 

The large ensemble includes Danielle Brooks, who has earned Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Awards nominations for her turn as Sofia, Emmy nominee Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery and Emmy winner Colman Domingo as Mister. Through Celie’s real life hardships and colorful imagination, her journey is chronicled from childhood to adulthood as she discovers her inner strength and how the bonds of sisterhood can overcome any obstacle.

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SEE Fantasia Barrino (‘The Color Purple’) on why she had to play Celie again: ‘I never gave up and I never gave in’

Additional cast members include Corey Hawkins, Ciara, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Deon Cole, David Alan Grier, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Jon Batiste. Read our full review round-up below.

Travis Hopson of Punch Drunk Critics praises the film, stating, “’The Color Purple’ is indeed ambitious, vibrant, and brash, a unique blend of stage musical, Hollywood blockbuster, and electrifying music video.” He continues, “While all of the performances are strong, ‘The Color Purple’ would never hold up if not for Fantasia Barrino. After a slow start where Fantasia’s Celie is so timid as to barely speak, we only get to see how the lack of love has kept her in the shadows. But as Celie starts to build confidence in herself, so too does Fantasia’s performance open up and we experience the full range of her musical gifts, as well as her notable skills as an actress. It’s a heavy burden carrying the amount of pain that Celie bears, but it makes it more inspiring when she begins to speak up for herself and fight back. Having begun to learn what love truly is, Celie has no qualms standing up to Mister, and standing up for the people she loves. The dinner scene, in which Celie wishes a dire end to Mister’s life, while navigating the return of Shug, an escape to Memphis, and Sophia’s return from prison, encompasses a jumble of emotions that Fantasia nails at every moment.”

Brian Truitt of USA Today says, “From a huge Gramophone to a dizzying array of showstopping pants, the movie musical of ‘The Color Purple’ may be a different experience than previous versions but it’s no less breathtaking or vital. You’ll laugh, cry, probably hum an earworming melody or two and definitely tap your foot up a storm watching director Blitz Bazawule’s vibrant take on the Broadway show and the latest adaptation of Alice Walker’s seminal novel about the Black American experience. This ‘Color Purple’  features stage standouts – and likely Oscar nominees – Fantasia Barrino and Danielle Brooks heading up a stellar cast in what should be, like its cinematic predecessor, a best picture contender.

SEE Danielle Brooks (‘The Color Purple’) on her standout performance as Sofia: ‘I feel like it’s my time’

Lauren LaMagna of Next Best Picture says, “The strongest element of the film are the performances. ‘The Color Purple’ features, easily, one of the best film ensembles of the year, and leading that is Fantasia Barrino, who is simply fantastic in her turn as Celie. Returning to the role after playing Celie on Broadway in 2007, Barrino is able to portray her with the utmost respect, strength, and vulnerability that the character deserves and needs.”

Ross Bonaime of Collider writes, “Bazawule’s musical format works best with characters who are bold and extroverted already, such as Sofia and Shug Avery. For example, when Harpo attempts to hit his wife, Sofia retaliates with the formidable song ‘Hell No,’ flanked by other women not willing to take this sort of abuse. Shug Avery is inherently musical, and this makes her arrival on the scene a light in Celie’s dark world. Through just a song and a little attention, we can understand why Celie would immediately become drawn to this natural performer. Both Brooks and Henson are giving performances that put their own spin on these characters in truly wonderful ways. Brooks had big shoes to fill, portraying a role originally played by Oprah Winfrey, but Brooks’ attitude and sense of humor makes her the primary scene-stealer in this already impressive cast. Similarly, Henson’s Shug is a character that lives in the spotlight, and Henson knows exactly how to be the center of attention in a way that makes her feel like a celebration personified.”

SEE Taraji P. Henson (‘The Color Purple’): Shug Avery ‘was the voice for women who didn’t have one’

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