The Spielberg retrospective continued with The Color Purple. At the time of it's release there was a lot of controversy surrounding Spielberg's attempt to direct the movie version of Alice Walker's Pulitzer prize winning novel. many in the African American community felt a white director should not be making a film that was purely about the black experience in early 20th century America. By 1985 Spielberg's reputation as a fantasy/action film director was firmly implanted in the public mind. He had directed E.T., Close Encounters, Jaws and two Indiana Jones movies, as well as producing Poltergeist and Goonies. Many felt he was not the right director to tackle a film about poverty, sexism, racism, adultery and incest, all topics covered in the book. When the film opened in December 1985 most of those critical voices were silenced. The film is an astounding achievement of dramatic story-telling. Many critics named it the best film of the year including Roger Ebert. It went on to receive 11 Academy Award nominations. But, true to it's controversial nature, Spielberg was not nominated as best director, and the film didn't win any awards.
The film is a true masterpiece, yet in comparison to his later serious films, Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan and Munich, you can see that the film does tread lightly around the serious subject matter, almost as if the he wasn't quite ready to plunge deeply into the dark side of the book.
It's been at least 15 years since I watched this movie and I had forgotten what a marvel Whoopi Goldberg is. Today she is a brand name and an established personality, but back then she was an unknown actress making her screen debut under the direction of a master film maker and her performance is superb and sublime. She communicates so much with her eyes and small gestures.
The other strong performance in the film was by Danny Glover. At award time he was overshadowed by the female stars, but his turn as "Mister" is excellent. 1985 was a great year for Glover, along with The Color Purple he starred in Witness and Silverado.
At the Movie House rating **** stars
5 comments:
Though this was a good movie ir was not great or a classic....I like your new rating system but you forgot to apply it to this movie...Color Purple 3.5 stars...This movie has flaws, a 4 star movie does not
I would like you to discuss the blinded feeling you get when you leave a movie theater on a saturday afternoon.
Thank you and I enjoy you
Could you please do an article on the greatest Oscar rip-offs...speaking of which, I saw Hurt Locker on my TV...good flick, but when i subsequently learned it waqs up for best picture i was astounded...the same for that LA movie with the 4 joining stories from a few years ago, what rubbish...Of course, there was Shakespeare in Love....By the way, Chariots of Fire was a far better film than Indiana Jones, there is no doubt...That does not take away form the grandeur of Indiana but it was not as good a film...I do not believe filmas should be declared great because of special effrects or because they are a good cartoon or have a new development in filmaking...Avatar was nothing but cowboys and Indians in 3D.
Your blog is very informative, thank you. One can tell you enjoy the movies.
Sorry but I disagree. The Color purple is a 4 star movie. It excels in every aspect of movie making.Detractors site differences from the book and Spielberg's light touch with the material, but films are a completely different art form than books and what books leave to the imagination is also sometimes better left to the imagination on film too.
I have already answered the blinded movie feeling. As a hip, cool movie attendee I have always brought my sunglasses and never expereince that sensation
You'll have to wait till next february for my comments on the Academy Awards. But I can tell you that again you are incorrect in your assesment about Chariots vs. Raiders. Of course Hurt Locker did win best picture, but i can't make an assessment since I have not seen it yet.
The great Shakeaspeare vs. private Ryan debate will continue, but in the meantime feel free to trash these Oscar winners: The English Patient, Crash, Rain Man, Slumdog Millionaire, Gladiator, Rocky, Out Of Africa and One Flew Over The Cukoo's Nest.
What do you mean that you can tell me "again" about Raiders....I am anonymous, it is quite possible we never met or discussed these things
I saw a movie that was surprisingly good the other night called "District Nine"....3.5 stars
Here are some other reviews of mine
Crazy Heart - 3.5
Avatar - 2.75 (yes, I do quarter shares)
Wolfman - 2.75 (that quarter comes in very handy)
By the way, a movie i saw a few years agoand then watched twice more recently (yes, twice) and I am elevating to classic status...There will Be Blood...I believe this is one of the great acting performances of all time...a superb movie
As for your further trashing
English Patient - 2.25
Crash - 1.75 (I hated this pablum)
Rain Man - How annoying can a movie be award
Slumdog - didnt see
Gladiator - 3 stars
Rocky - I think it has stood the tes tof time and is a classic, though not 4 stars...i won't argue its award
Out of Africa - Boring
One Fle - Gee I never knew there was a debate over this one...I'd have to see it again but I don;t remember it being bad
Anyway, keep up the good work
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