Common Sense Media Review
Powerful tale of survival has wrenching scenes of abuse.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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The Color Purple
What's the Story?
In this inspiring, wrenching drama based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel THE COLOR PURPLE, Whoopi Goldberg plays Celie, a Southern woman who's been abused all her life. Her current abuser is her husband, Mister (Danny Glover). Various women in her life -- including the confident Sofia (Oprah Winfrey) and intriguing singer Shug Avery (Margaret Avery) -- slowly help Celie find strength in herself. Eventually, correspondence with her sister in Africa gives Celie the courage to stand up to Mister.
Is It Any Good?
This powerful movie isn't for the weak of heart; it deals with real, traumatic issues, including child abuse, sexual abuse, racism, and sexism. But for teens who can weather the subject matter, The Color Purple's story of a woman's journey from abuse to independence is inspiring. There's a great deal to admire in this sweeping epic, starting with the simple fact that complex Black women like those presented here are rarely seen in American movies. Goldberg, nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for her performance, shines as the abused Celie, as does Glover as her brutish husband. And Winfrey makes a memorable impression as the strong-willed Sofia.
The Color Purple tends to bring out radically different responses in viewers. Those who like sentimental material tend to be extremely moved by the story. But other viewers find it overly grandiose, with scene after scene designed to be gut wrenching. Part of the problem lies in page-to-screen translation process. The filmmakers never quite solve the problem of adapting such dense literary material, moving from high point to high point in an attempt to cover the full sweep of the novel. And internal thoughts are delivered as stilted voice-overs, a device filmmakers often fall back on when they see no other way to work a character's personal psychology into a movie.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the abuse scenes in The Color Purple. What feelings did they bring up in you? How did Celie's relationship with Sofia help her survive? How can family members help one another survive and heal from traumatic experiences?
What makes these film adaptations of novels successful? What are the pitfalls? Do you think this is a successful adaptation?
How have times have changed for Black women since the era in which the story takes place? What's remained the same? Why are the challenges faced by women of color different than those faced by White women?
How do the characters in The Color Purple demonstrate perseverance and resilience? Why are these important character strengths?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 18, 1985
- On DVD or streaming : February 18, 2003
- Cast : Danny Glover , Oprah Winfrey , Whoopi Goldberg
- Director : Steven Spielberg
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s) , Bisexual Movie Writer(s) , Black Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , History
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- Run time : 152 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : emotional intensity, violence and mature themes
- Awards : Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Winner , NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Winner
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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