The enduring influence of "The Color Purple"
The Color Purple: A Melodramatic Legacy Upheld in the Latest Movie Musical.
On Christmas Day, families flocked to movie theaters in New York, with "The Color Purple" drawing enthusiastic crowds in Harlem. The AMC Magic Johnson Theaters witnessed nearly sold-out premieres, turning the streets into a vibrant display of purple attire worn by dozens of attendees.
Sallie McMillan shared a personal connection to the story, expressing, "My sister passed away about three years ago, and me and my sister was close like that," referring to the profound bond depicted in the narrative's main characters.
Nicole Williams, accompanied by her daughter Forever, highlighted the transformative impact of the original film, stating, "The first one I saw when I was a little girl and it changed my life." She emphasized the significance of being present on the movie's opening day to share the experience with her daughter.
The new rendition of "The Color Purple" takes a different approach from its 1985 predecessor. While the earlier film interpreted Alice Walker's original prose, portraying a narrative filled with pain, the latest adaptation is based on the 2005 Broadway musical. This version reimagines the story from a more positive perspective, empowering the characters to rejoice in their journey.
Nothing stacks up to the original, but it definitely was up there," said Antonia Santiago after seeing the first showing of the day. "On a 1 to 10, it was a 9.5.
The book leaves us in awe," noted W. Taft Harris, Jr. "The film adaptation leaves us with this great sense of aspiration. The stage play leaves us in a place of good astonishment, right. This here was simply amazing.
This powerful tale of redemption is filled with full-circle moments for the cast, some of whom portrayed the same people in the Broadway play nearly two decades ago.
Fantasia Barrino-Taylor credits co-star Taraji P. Henson for helping her celebrate and separate herself from her character Celie on set, something she admitted struggling to do on stage during a recent interview on CBS Mornings.
Our amazing director, he gave Celie an imagination, Barrino-Taylor said. "She didn't have that on Broadway. So it left everybody trying to figure out how she got through everything. Then all of a sudden you hear, 'I'm here,' and you're happy. But you don't know how she processed to get there.
Danielle Brooks also reprised her role as Sofia, a choice personally endorsed by producer Oprah Winfrey herself.
It felt literally like passing the baton, and I got to do that," shared Winfrey with CBS Mornings. "We both cried when she finished the scene, and I said it is officially done. You have taken it and made it yours.
The connection between Brooks and her on-screen husband Harpo, portrayed by Corey Hawkins, is profound.
I don't know if I was dreaming it up or my ancestors were dreaming it up, but Danielle Brooks and I were both at Julliard in singing class, in the hallways, just singing the music," Hawkins revealed on CBS Mornings. "Like it was a part of who we were.
The celestial arrangement has converged to signify a fresh cultural milestone in history.
I witnessed the original back in 1985, and that was truly remarkable," shared Yvonne Bacott, "and to witness a distinct interpretation now and the individuals involved. I mean, it's extraordinary. Who wouldn't be eager to witness it?
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