It is certainly bold to turn Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize winning, the Color Purple, into a musical. This is a departure from the 1985 original film version about sisters Celie and Nettie, sisters torn apart after their mother died and one is sold off into an abusive marriage.

This musical version of The Color Purple feels like an altogether different story than what is set out in the book. It feels like Sofia’s story rather than Celie’s. The musical numbers help to bring a bit of brevity to what is otherwise still an emotionally challenging story of sexual abuse, incest, and racism. There’s a nod to the past, especially having Whoopi Goldberg appear as the midwife to deliver another one of Celie’s babies.

As with all musicals, the pace is dictated by the musical numbers, and as an audience that is what you are waiting for. This take on The Color Purple feels joyful rather than poignant and by the end of the film it all felt very happy. The entire cast is excellent. The songs are largely forgettable aside from Hell No which is sung by Sofia (Danielle Brooks). That character also has all the best lines eg “I haven’t seen you since Jesus wept.” Danielle Brooks dominates every single frame she is in. Her Oscar nomination is well deserved.

Overall, this is a solid musical adaptation but strangely devoid of the emotional devastation of the 1985 original.

The Color Purple is released in cinemas across the UK on 26 January.

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