The Color Purple opens with the poetic themes of love, friendship, and encouragement—all of which will go through ages of neglect and abuse. There is a saying in the outset of the film, “Good Lord works in mysterious ways,” and it seems to ring true in The Color Purple. Faith, passion, and empathy remain important motifs as the film follows the story of a loving and lasting friendship. The Color Purple is joyful, but not as solid as the original from 1985. This one goes for a more blockbuster approach, but the music and story still soar in many moments.

The film takes place in the early 1900s in Atlanta, Georgia. The two main characters are Celie (played by Fantasia Barrino) and Nettie (played by Ciara). The true story is seen in the younger characters that play both women. Young Celie is played by Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, and Young Nettie is played by Halle Bailey. A friendship torn apart in an era of slavery. Celie spends her life with Mister (played by Colman Domingo). He is a harsh landowner that beats and neglects her for many years of her life. Celie’s happiness is always found around her friend; however, Nettie ends up leaving the picture because Mister scares her away. The film effectively uses musical inspiration to enhance its many characters, settings and situations.

Hard moments transition to songs—the steppingstones of a touching masterpiece. The film’s songs display a message of staying strong, especially for Celie. Relationships of abuse negate Celie’s purpose and inspiration to find Nettie, yet Nettie remains in her heart. The spirit of Celie never losing hope is in the music, conjuring the feeling that simply being alive is something to be grateful for. The Color Purple is a journey where laws and boundaries do not exist.

The portrayal of racism and segregation goes too deep into a Hollywood mode. The downfall is that there is over exaggeration in the dramatics that do not serve a proper purpose or a form of realism. The Color Purple is rather frustrating in the sense that it seems made to sell rather than authentic. The music is terrific though. It attempts to be a fulfilling flick through itscontinuity, acting and story, yet it falls short of attaining trulyjoyful vibes. It is an experience where boredom will come sooner than expected in its time length of two hours and forty minutes.

Despite the film’s slow approaches of being inviting there is more to the film to add sense of positivity. Celie meets Shug Avery, and she is played by Taraji. P Henson. She is the leading celebrity of the town. She has a big soul and an open heart and feels Celie’s pain. With the support of Shug, does Celie have more hopes to have a new life? Are there hopes she can find Nettie? Can she get away from Mister? Her hopes and prayers go a long way. Color Purple paints a portrait of how life can be when one deals with abuse physically and mentally every day.

With all of the joyful elements, the dynamic of the film is cursed because it takes place in an era of non-acceptance at intolerable levels. The Color Purple displays a raw, riveting and inspirational experience that will warm many hearts. It is also a musical experience that is driven to test boundaries to find light in the darker places of life. The film just lacks some realistic qualities, relying rather on over-the-top dramatics and ironies. This remake just does not make it. Two out of four stars for The Color Purple.