Caitlin Willis - The Color Purple

Caitlin Willis

Intro. to Film Studies

5.30.17

The Color Purple

         
This movie was interesting because of the touchy, taboo plot. Growing up, I'd heard of this film multiple times but I'd never had the chance to watch it. After seeing it, I know what the hype is all about. This movie tells the story of a young black woman's life. Growing up in Georgia in the early twentieth century, life for Celie was difficult. Before she was even of legal age, she'd given birth to two of her father's children. In many ways, she protected her younger sister by allowing her father to rape her and abuse her, saving her sister from his monstrous behavior. It wasn't until her father sold her to another man that she seemingly lost control of everything.

          Under her new "owner," Celie had to behave as a housewife: cook, clean, take care of the children, and tend to her husbands needs, which translates to allowing him to abuse and rape her, much like her father. The fact that this movie covered such a heavy topic, with the amount of essence it did, is amazing. Often in history, we learn about how black men have struggled to grow as individuals but the focus has never been on black woman trying to evolve from the slaves and birth givers. No one has ever talked about the things they endured during the early twentieth century, like how they were left out of feminism movements and voting acts. No one talks about the black woman's struggle.

          The ending was definitely not anticipated. I personally didn't think Celie would eventually end up owning her own home, especially not the one she and her family grew up in. I was very surprised when she met up with her children and her sister but I was very happy for the both of them. I was very proud, though I didn't actually have a right to be. This movie portrays a black woman's struggle well. Despite being dragged down over and over again, Celie became an independent, strong, black woman who was happy.