Published Nov 14, 2023
Synopsis
Distributed By: WarnerBros | Release Date: 12/25/23 | Run Time: 141 Minutes
Drama | Musical. A musical adaptation of Alice Walker's novel about the life-long struggles of an African-American woman living in the south during the early 1900s.......… Fantasia Barrino, Halle Bailey, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Taraji P Henson
Screening Notes
If you are going to rework a Pulitzer Prize winning novel, that was made into a beloved movie (’85) directed by Stephen Spielberg, starring Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Goldberg, and Danny Glover, that was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and 5 Golden Globes, then in 2005 adapted into a very successful Broadway Musical that toured for 7 years, into a major motion picture released on Christmas Day, you better bring your A-Game! Well, Alice Walker is sure to be proud. But then what did you expect, the film’s producers are Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, and Quincy Jones. This film works as a musical. The lyrics, song, rhythm, and dance weave perfectly into the storytelling drama and are enjoyably mesmerizing. Mr. is still the misogynist, Sofia as defiant as ever, and the story unfolds through Celie’s eyes. The story moves at a good pace (maybe could have shortened it by 5-10 minutes towards the end) and moviegoers are certain to have a small tear form during the last 5 minutes…”I’m not crying, you’re crying”.
Boxoffice Estimate
This has been a good year for both period dramas and musicals…Oppenheimer, Killers of the Flower Moon, Napoleon, Little Mermaid, Barbie, Taylor Swift, and Beyonce. The Color Purple combines the best of both genres and, given its Christmas Day (traditionally, one of the single busiest days of the year) opening and its predecessor’s popularity, the film is positioned perfectly for a successful opening. As always, I’m sure there will be critics pointing out the depiction of sexist gender dynamics and stereotypes, but this film should easily drown out the naysayers and will be enjoyed for its quality storytelling and entertainment value. With the 118-day actor’s strike now behind us, let’s hope the cast get’s to work promoting this film.
My math points to an opening weekend estimated at $32M, with a range between 29M and $37M…$32M is spot-on with the 7-year average for a title opening in Dec. The projected 3.6x multiple doesn’t keep pace with the original film, which enjoyed a 26-week run and an 18.5x multiple, but not many films do; it is, however, right in line with both its comp set of titles and the average for Dec. The final gross is estimated between $104M and $127M….the original 1985 version earned $98M, which in today’s dollars is a $280M equivalent.
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