Passing on “The Color Purple”

I received a call today from a former co-worker friend who asked whether I had seen the 2023 film The Color Purple. I politely told her no, restraining the irritation in my voice as I held my tongue from telling her how I felt about the question and the film itself. Less than a few weeks after that film was released, I started seeing, hearing, and reading more positive reviews about The Color Purple than I cared to. I had already become annoyed with the hype that many people in my ethnic group had given and were still giving over that supposed must-see film. And so, I had reached the end of my tolerance of hearing and being asked about it.

I was in the U.S. Navy, stationed and living in Charleston, South Carolina when the first film adaptation of The Color Purple premiered in December 1985. I cannot remember why I decided to see that film…perhaps because it had a predominately Black cast. I recall seeing it alone. Thirty-eight years later, I remain uninterested in seeing another film adaptation of author Alice Walker’s novel. Frankly, I did not think the [1985] original adaptation of The Color Purple novel was that great of a film – despite its U.S. and worldwide box office success and the Rotten Tomatoes approval rating of 73%. And, just as it was for me in 1985, I have no interest in reading Walker’s novel either.

[S/N: I recall disliking Harriet, the [terribly done] 2019 biographical yet creatively licensed film about abolitionist Harriet Tubman. I remember being disgusted with the hype that film was given by fellow members of the Black community, too.]

Any opportunity offered to me to see either the 2023 adaptation or some new and future film or stage adaptation of The Color Purple will be given an easy pass. However, because I love good humor and comedy, I’ll likely make an exception and watch a well-made parody or satirical version of that story. //⚤//