The Color Purple (2023) Movie Recap & Review

The recap of the film The Color Purple starts in 1909 Georgia, sisters Celie (Phylicia Pearl Mpasi) and Nettie (Halle Bailey) sit in a tree, engaging in a clapping game called "Huckleberry Pie" before heading to church with the rest of the town for their Sunday service featuring "Mysterious Ways."

The Color Purple Movie Recap

Celie, pregnant with her second child by her father Alfonso (Deon Cole), gives birth to a son, Adam. However, Alfonso takes the baby away and gives him to another family, similar to what happened with Celie's previous baby, a daughter named Olivia.

Working at a shop, Celie spots Olivia with another woman, but when she tries to speak to the baby, Alfonso orders her to keep working. From a distance, Celie hopes for a future reunion with Olivia during "She Be Mine." Despite their struggles, Celie and Nettie find solace in each other as depicted in "Keep It Movin'."

Later on, Nettie catches the attention of Albert "Mister" Johnson (Colman Domingo). He seeks Alfonso's approval for Nettie's hand in marriage, but Alfonso declines, believing Nettie has a promising future.

Instead, he offers Celie to Mister, who reluctantly accepts. Celie is separated from her sister and immediately put to work by Mister, serving as a mother figure to his sons. Mister freely inflicts punishment on Celie whenever he desires.

Nettie joins Celie when she can no longer tolerate their father's presence. Initially resistant to letting her stay, Mister allows Nettie to remain under the condition that she works, a condition to which she agrees.

One night, Mister attempts to assault Nettie, but she fights back. Threatened by Mister's rifle, she is compelled to escape, with him ordering her never to return. Despite fleeing, Nettie promises to write to Celie every day.

Fast forward to 1917, Celie (now portrayed by Fantasia Barrino) remains married to Mister. Meanwhile, Harpo (Corey Hawkins), Mister's eldest son, weds a spirited woman named Sofia (Danielle Brooks) and anticipates the arrival of their child. Harpo endeavors to construct a house by the swamp ("Workin'"), but Mister discourages him, claiming it's unsuitable property.

Celie befriends Sofia, but Harpo later confides in Celie that he feels incapable of controlling Sofia, who appears to dominate him. Sofia, learning of Harpo's claim that Celie advised him to use violence against her, confronts Celie, asserting her refusal to endure mistreatment in her own home ("Hell No!"). Sofia temporarily leaves Harpo.

Later, Harpo decides to convert the house into a juke joint. Years later, the establishment is complete, and jazz singer Shug Avery (Taraji P. Henson) comes to town ("Shug Avery Comin’ To Town") to perform at the joint. It's revealed that Shug was once a lover of Mister.

When Shug arrives at Mister's home, she is inebriated, and Celie cares for her until she recovers. A deep bond forms between Celie and Shug, with Shug inspiring Celie to assert herself against Mister. Celie begins to experience a renewed sense of love and empowerment ("Dear God – Shug").

The juke joint is set for its grand opening, with Shug and her band arriving for the much-anticipated performance ("Push Da Button"). Sofia appears with a new partner, expecting a child and raising his previous children while still legally married to Harpo.

Harpo, now involved with another woman named Mary Agnes, or "Squeak" (H.E.R.), attempts to dance with Sofia. However, Mary Agnes interrupts, leading to a confrontation that escalates into a fight, causing chaos and wreckage in the joint. Celie and Shug navigate their way out of the turmoil.

As Shug prepares to depart to explore the world, Celie pleads with her to stay, sensing that Mister is kinder in Shug's presence. Shug takes Celie with her, and a deep, mutual affection blossoms between them ("What About Love?"). Upon returning to Mister's home, Shug discovers a letter in the mailbox addressed to Celie from Nettie.

Celie is ecstatic to learn that her sister is alive. In addition, Shug uncovers a hidden stash of letters from Mister to Celie, prompting Celie to read them covertly. She discovers that Nettie (now portrayed by Ciara) resides in Africa, caring for Celie's children who live and work with a local tribe.

In Georgia, Sofia is propositioned by the mayor's wife to be her nanny, but Sofia declines, aware of the underlying intentions. The mayor aggressively confronts Sofia, striking her before she retaliates. After a group of white men attacks her, Sofia is arrested.

Celie visits Sofia in prison, hoping to secure her release but learns she must serve her sentence ("Hell No! Reprise"). After six years, Sofia is released and reluctantly ends up working for the mayor's wife to support her family.

On Easter Sunday, Shug returns from Memphis with her new husband Grady (Jon Batiste), bringing him to Mister’s house for dinner. Harpo, Mary Agnes, Sofia, and Mister’s equally abusive father, Ol Mister (Louis Gossett Jr.), join the gathering. Celie confronts Mister about the letters from Nettie he kept from her.

Determined to leave him along with Shug, Celie brandishes a knife when Mister tries to go after her again, and the others intervene to restrain her. Mary Agnes decides to join them, while Sofia stays behind. Celie warns Mister that until he does right by her, everything in his life will crumble.

Celie resides with Shug in Memphis and writes back to Nettie. Learning of her sister's and children's struggles returning to the United States due to an attack on their village by colonizers, which destroyed their documents, Celie is informed of Alfonso's death.

She discovers that the property was in the name of Celie and Nettie’s biological father, not Alfonso. Their mother married Alfonso after their father's death, and he left the property in the daughters' names. With support from Shug, Sofia, and Mary Agnes, Celie establishes a pants shop ("Miss Celie’s Pants").

Meanwhile, Mister becomes a miserable drunk, intolerable even to Harpo. Lost in the rain one day, he recalls Celie’s words and vows to change. Mister cleans up his act and alters his behavior before visiting immigration offices to find a way to bring Nettie and the children back to the States.

With limited funds, Mister offers to sell some land to improve his chances. He later buys a pair of pants from Celie’s shop, a product not otherwise for sale. Though hesitant, Celie agrees to maintain a friendship with him. Alone, Celie expresses feelings of joy and peace for the first time in a long while ("I’m Here").

Sometime later, Celie and her friends gather for a Fourth of July picnic in the park. A car arrives, and Celie recognizes a familiar voice singing a familiar song. Turning around, she finds Nettie, along with Adam and Olivia. Celie has an emotional reunion with her family, and they join hands, thanking God for their journey ("The Color Purple").