Official Trailer
Our Review
- Halle Bailey, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Corey Hawkins
- January 26th 2024
- Blitz Bazawule
Fantasia Barrino and Taraji P. Henson star in the movie musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel.
Alice Walker’s novel was adapted into a film in the 1980s, then a Broadway musical, and now there’s a movie version of that musical.
This new adaptation, directed by Blitz Bazawule, is set between 1909 and 1947 and tells the story of Celie Harris (Fantasia Barrino), who is forced to marry Mister (Colman Domingo) and essentially be his slave.
Separated from her two children and her beloved sister Nettie, Celie manages to find some solace in the form of Mister’s longtime mistress, the famous blues singer Shug Avery (Taraji P. Henson), and Mister’s no-nonsense daughter-in-law Sofia (Danielle Brooks).
The hard-hitting story doesn’t seem well suited for a musical adaptation but it really works. The songs help lighten the load and offer respite from the heaviness and also make the happier moments more of a celebration.
They aren’t particularly memorable but they are effective in the moment, whether it’s to convey a deep...
