Shana Payne-Holmes

I am a big fan of The Color Purple (both book and movie adaptations) due to its overall theme and presentation of the strength of the black woman. However. I feel that this musical adaptation fails to continue with that portrayal. The singing and dancing were underwhelming and lent little to the heartfelt core of what Alice Walker intended to convey. I think that the error lies in the omission of key scenes in the book that support its strength. I am a fan of Fantasia, Taraji, and Danielle and think that their performances were good (not great), but I again believe that this is the result of an offense beyond the actors' control. Finally, the movie is rated PG-13, but some material was inappropriate for young teenagers. My daughter, who is an avid musical lover, was left feeling uncomfortable and confused. I must take partial blame for not explaining some of the material beforehand. Nevertheless, this adaptation served as a time for my daughter and me to come together and celebrate the empowerment of the black woman.