‘The Color Purple’ wastes potential in new musical version of classic; g1 already seen

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Adaptation of a Broadway play based on the 1985 film that adapted the book brings the lightness of the genre to the painful story, but does not take advantage of the possibilities of a musical. In less than a month, the new “The Color Purple” is the second film to adapt a Broadway musical based on a classic film that adapted a book. The coincidence with January’s “Mean Girls” ends there. Unlike its very – VERY – distant cousin, the premiere this Thursday (8) in Brazilian cinemas wastes the potential of its new genre and fails to fully justify its existence. Your challenge is much greater, it’s true. After all, it suffers from the inevitable comparison with the 1985 classic, which launched Whoopi Goldberg’s film career and was directed by one of the greatest of all time, Steven Spielberg. To make matters worse, you also need to sing and dance during the story written by Alice Walker, one of the most painful in literature and cinema. But with a fear of daring in language, visuals and acting, and a perhaps exaggerated respect for previous works, it never becomes something truly independent. There are moments of brilliance, especially in the cast. Fantasia Barrino is no Goldberg, but she doesn’t compromise when she reprises the role she gave life to on Broadway. Revealed on “American Idol”, she maintains her musical side, but never manages to leave the shadow of stars like Danielle Brooks (another who made the transition from stage to cinema with the same character and received an Oscar nomination for supporting actress for the film) , Colman Domingo (“Rustin”) and Taraji P. Henson (“Hidden Figures”). Watch the trailer for ‘The Color Purple’ Balance between lightness and suffering Just like the book and the first adaptation (and on Broadway), this “The Color Purple” tells the story of a young black woman (Barrino) in the interior of the United States in beginning of the 20th century that goes through abuse at the hands of all the men in her life. Separated from her sister (Halle Baley) as a child, she finds hope in friendships with other women who cross her path – and shows that, by being inspired by their examples, she can also serve as a source of strength for those around her. The direction by Ghanaian Blitz “The Ambassador” Bazawule (one of the directors of “Black is king: a Beyoncé film”) balances the weight of the plot with the lighter side of the musical – something that even improves the slower pace imposed by Spielberg in 1985. Wasted potential Unfortunately, the filmmaker fails to take advantage of the possibilities of a musical. At times, the narrative flirts with the protagonist’s imagination and her travels to distant places of so much suffering, but it never commits to delusions. “I’m here”, for example, deserved a great celebration of liberation and acceptance on the level of the apotheotic song at the end. Trapped in a poor and dull setting, the music doesn’t come close to the desired feeling of intimacy – despite Barrino’s beautiful interpretation. Fantasia Barrino and Taraji P. Henson in a scene from ‘The Color Purple’ Disclosure Another bizarre case is the lack of sense in casting a singer of HER’s caliber, in her debut as an actress, and enjoying her voice and charisma for just a few seconds , in “Miss Celie’s Pants”. An eye on the past Brooks makes good use of the role that also earned her a nomination for Oprah (who returns as producer of the new version) and stands out with enviable strength and brilliance. His presence in the Oscar supporting category may be an exaggeration, but it is far from unfair. Domingo (nominated for best actor for “Rustin”) also lends his usual talent to the role of the protagonist’s abusive husband and achieves a more human character, less cartoonish than Danny Glover’s performance in 1985. The new “The Color Purple” has already been released. I would justify it with the songs – the beautiful performances do not deserve to pay for the lack of boldness in their scenes. But the musical can also introduce a new generation to an essential story. When in doubt, however, it’s even better to revisit the classic. Danielle Brooks and Fantasia Barrino in a scene from ‘The Color Purple’

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