The Color Purple (1985) and The Color Purple (2023)
The same story, two different versions.
Some time ago, I saw a trailer for The Color Purple (2023). The trailer presented the 2023 version as a musical full of color, singing, and dancing. I was surprised as I remembered the 1985 version as a sad movie.
Recently, I re-watched the 1985 version. Then, the following day, I watched the 2023 version. And I have a few takes on these.
In general terms, The Color Purple is a harsh, crude, and brutal tale that speaks to many women. It is a story that can inspire women of every age and race to overcome oppression and abuse to find fulfillment and independence.
The story covers diverse themes: motherhood, loss, friendship, love, and marriage. All this while witnessing the transformation of a woman who is simple, poor, ignorant, and also dazzlingly beautiful on the inside. The story unfolds how this woman starts to overcome all the mistreatment she has endured. Then, she begins to learn and transform her path into a journey toward happiness in a time when women were worth less than cattle or maybe less than nothing.
Both movies present good artistic and production values. Also, both movies display great performances by all the actors involved.
In both movies, the story is about the same but presented differently. Because of this, both movies have different outcomes.
The 1985 version does more than a fine job of portraying the story. The cold color tones at the beginning that change as the movie progresses into warmer tones are great to watch. Those cold color tones present a sad and bleak scenario that resonates with the nature of the story. And the few musical performances within the movie add to the main character’s emotional journey.
The 2023 version doesn’t capture the essence of the story. Somehow, the crudeness of the story isn’t there. This version changed the harsh realities of the story for a flashy musical with warm colors everywhere. It is like a light version of the story that lacks depth. The emotional charge isn’t there.
With this, I am not stating the problem of the 2023 version is to be a musical. The problem with the 2023 version is the musical isn’t dramatic enough. Somehow, the essence of the story gets diluted by the enthusiastic tone of the movie.
Imagine Les Miserables (2012) as a lively musical. Imagine Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman singing while smiling and dancing around, trying to portray the harsh realities of their characters. It wouldn’t work the same. Hathaway and Jackman just wouldn’t be able to make you feel for their characters.
While watching The Color Purple (2023), I couldn’t feel and care for the characters. The characters were there, doing their thing. I understood what they were trying to accomplish, but there was no substance to any of it.
Back in 1985, there were some controversies surrounding the movie. Among those, how the film portrayed the lesbian love story. At the time, the director (Steven Spielberg) stated he may not get a PG-13 rating by placing more details regarding the loving relationship between two women. Maybe he was right. Maybe he was wrong. Still, the lesbian love story is part of the movie. We, the audience, don’t get to see much of it. However, the characters get to experience it. It is there but in a subtle way. One way or the other, this makes it special and intimate.
While watching the 2023 version, I expected a more elaborate presentation of the lesbian love story, and it was, but in the corniest way possible. I was expecting something different. In this day and age, LGBT+ thematic movies have shown all sorts of love stories. This version could have presented a musical take that could have been iconic. But it didn’t happen.
As for awards, Whoopi Goldberg should have won that Oscar for the 1985 version. Danielle Brooks could win the Oscar for the 2023 version, but she deserved a better script to work with.
Of the two versions, the 1985 version is by far superior.
As for the 2023 version, they could have produced a far better movie that could have done justice to those talented actors and singers.
I always recommend the 1985 version. And even when I think the 2023 version is not at the same level, I don’t think it is a complete waste of time. If you enjoy musicals, see the 2023 version and draw your conclusions.
