The Color Purple

A Sister's Tale

The Color Purple is a heart wrenching story of Celie Johnson, a young black woman living in Georgia from the early 1900's up until the 1940's. From the beginning of the movie, Celie is verbally, physically and sexually abused, first by her father-who sells away her two babies-then her husband, Mister, who never really wanted to marry her anyway. The only soul who truly loves young Celie is her sister Nettie-who Mister throws out, for fighting off his advances. She promises to write and says, "Only death can keep me from it," but Mister keeps the letters from Celie for over 20 years...until one day...

I'm not sure I can explain why I have deeply loved this movie since it first came out. In fact, as we were watching it just yesterday--at one of the more tragic parts, my daughter asked, "And you love this movie--why?" I think that I've always been a sucker for a movie of triumph, no matter how much sadness and misery we have to wade through first. I'm pretty tough, so, as long as the right people win in the end, I can take it. Lovely, emotional closure is worth it to me. I do, however, realize that not everyone feels the same.

In fact, while I find this film beautiful and immensely moving I have only EVER enjoyed an edited version of it. I've seen the uncut PG-13 one, and will admit that the bedroom scene at the beginning and the Celie and Shug kissing scene much later, are too much for me. Wahoo ClearPlay for being able to slyly sneak those scenes away, without missing a beat.

Motherly Advice: In my opinion--as much as I love this film, I don't believe it is in any way-with or without ClearPlay- a kid friendly movie, as it deals with incest, physical and sexual abuse, and rising above circumstances too gritty to entertain the children with. Older teens and adults, with a filter, will likely find this an incredible, compelling movie.

Launi - Major Share Owner in the Kleenex Company

Rated PG-13; 154 min; Directed by Steven Spielberg