Devon Adams Professor Blakely Film Appreciation Film Review #1: The Color Purple The Color Purple is the story of Celie Johnson, and African-American woman struggling to overcome poverty, abuse, and sexism in the early 1900s. At 14 years old, Celie gives birth to her second child after she is molested by her father. Her father takes the child from her and is told to never speak of it again. Nettie, Celie’s younger sister, is set to marry Mister, a local farmer. Her father refuses to let Nettie marry and pawns off Celie instead. Mister is an abusive and neglectful man who treats Celie like a slave, raping her and abusing her to the point of silence. Once Nettie moves in, Nettie starts to teach Celie how to read and a wave of happiness floods …show more content…
Throughout the entire film, we see a lonely, timid woman with a passive demeanor. Celie has the idea that it is better to sit back in the shadows and not fight than to fight and risk being killed. As the movie progresses, we see hints of rebellion in Celie that foreshadow that she will find power within herself. For example, when Mister’s father comes to visit, he begins to criticize Shug. Disturbed by the conversation, Celie spits in the man’s water. Shug brings Celie out of her shell when she gets out her flashy clothes and lets her try them on. She asks Celie why she always hides her smile and shows her the beauty that she does not see in herself. I feel that this is the point in the movie where Celie’s confidence and strength are boosted exponentially. A review done by Janet Maslin reveals that “[Celie] eventually grows into a tremendously compelling figure, with a huge, radiant smile that’s even more powerful as her formidable scowl”. Celie’s personality transforms from a timid, powerless girl to a woman with fire in her heart. She reaches her breaking point and tells Mister everything she thought she could never say. Through the humor and encouragement from her friends, she starts a clothing store and is reunited with her sister and her