by Josh Sewell
The Color Purple
(Rated PG-13 for mature thematic content, sexual content, violence and language. Opens in theaters December 25.)
The Color Purple is one of several movies this season hiding the fact they’re musicals. (Wonka and Mean Girls are some of the others, in case you’re wondering.) That’s the biggest change – but not the only one – in this reimagining of Alice Walker’s classic 1982 novel, which was adapted into Steven Spielberg’s beloved 1985 film, and eventually became a hit Broadway production.
The latter version gets a new big-screen treatment, which still revolves around the formidable Celie (played as a child by Phylicia Pearl Mpasi and as an adult by Fantasia Barrino), a young woman with a brutal life who finds renewed strength and self-respect in her friendships with Sofia (Danielle Brooks) and Shug (Taraji P. Henson). Bouncing from an abusive father (Deon Cole) to an abusive husband (Colman Domingo), she ultimately learns how to stand up for herself thanks to the power she observes in the women around her.
For viewers who weren’t already aware this interpretation of The Color Purple is a musical, there’s one other stumbling block: the film’s power requires a prior knowledge of the novel or Spielberg’s adaptation, since director Blitz Bazawule and screenwriter Marcus Gardley speed through the plot and character development to get to the songs (most of which feel perfunctory at best).
The music’s power is also diminished because there’s nothing to hold on to emotionally. Poignant anthems from Barrino and Brooks notwithstanding, it feels like Bazawule hits pause on the story so his actors can sing karaoke for a few minutes.
As such, the narrative’s triumphs and tragedies don’t pack the same punch as earlier versions because the characters lack the same level of nuance and complexity. That’s despite excellent performances from Barrino, Brooks, Henson and their costars, including Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R. and Halle Bailey.
Nevertheless, the second half of The Color Purple is quite strong – especially the final 40 minutes. Considering my lackluster reaction up to that point, I was surprised to find myself brushing away lots of tears as Celie’s story reached its touching conclusion. Granted, the much-loathed Mister gets a more pronounced redemption arc in this interpretation (which might prove controversial to die-hard admirers of the story, despite Domingo’s phenomenal work), but aside from that massive change, the finale repairs a lot of the film’s earlier missteps.
Grade: B-
The Iron Claw
(Rated R for language, suicide, some sexuality and drug use. Opens in theaters December 22.)
I was an ’80s kid, which means I grew up in the golden age of professional wrestling. Although I was never a huge fan, a lot of my elementary school friends loved it, which means I absorbed the soap opera-eque stories and mythology through cultural osmosis.
However, one of the sport’s epic dynasties – the rise and tragic fall of the Von Erich family – completely passed me by until writer-director Sean Durkin’s biopic The Iron Claw premiered early last month. For those who don’t mind being “spoiled” (does real life count as a spoiler?), a quick glance at the family’s Wikipedia page will come as a devastating gut punch. While the movie takes some concerning creative liberties – more on that in a moment – the brutal story and some terrific performances from the cast definitely make it worth a watch. Just be sure to bring along some Kleenex.
The Iron Claw chronicles the true, devastating story of the Von Erich brothers (Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson and Stanley Simons), who made pro wrestling history in the early 1980s. Under the shadow of their domineering father/coach (Holt McCallany), the brothers seek immortality on the biggest stage in sports.
There’s no question that the main reasons to see this film are Efron (one of the rare adult actors to make the transition from child star with minimal trauma) and White (best known for his work on television’s Shameless and The Bear), along with Durkin’s naturalistic direction. Despite its 130-minute running time, The Iron Claw never feels too long or slow.
However, it’s strange that in a film devoted to the power of family, specifically the unbreakable bond of brotherly love, Durkin makes the odd creative decision to completely erase a real-life sibling from the story. Perhaps he felt that adding one more tragedy to the pile of misery would make the film implausible, but it still feels like a jarring choice.
Nevertheless, the sheer amount of love, respect and passion that went into The Iron Claw makes it worth seeing on the big screen. I don’t know if the movie will find the awards season love it’s clearly seeking, but I imagine viewers will embrace the troubled, yet devoted Von Erich family.
Grade: B-
(Rated PG-13 for mature thematic content, sexual content, violence and language. Opens in theaters December 25.)
The Color Purple is one of several movies this season hiding the fact they’re musicals. (Wonka and Mean Girls are some of the others, in case you’re wondering.) That’s the biggest change – but not the only one – in this reimagining of Alice Walker’s classic 1982 novel, which was adapted into Steven Spielberg’s beloved 1985 film, and eventually became a hit Broadway production.
The latter version gets a new big-screen treatment, which still revolves around the formidable Celie (played as a child by Phylicia Pearl Mpasi and as an adult by Fantasia Barrino), a young woman with a brutal life who finds renewed strength and self-respect in her friendships with Sofia (Danielle Brooks) and Shug (Taraji P. Henson). Bouncing from an abusive father (Deon Cole) to an abusive husband (Colman Domingo), she ultimately learns how to stand up for herself thanks to the power she observes in the women around her.
For viewers who weren’t already aware this interpretation of The Color Purple is a musical, there’s one other stumbling block: the film’s power requires a prior knowledge of the novel or Spielberg’s adaptation, since director Blitz Bazawule and screenwriter Marcus Gardley speed through the plot and character development to get to the songs (most of which feel perfunctory at best).
The music’s power is also diminished because there’s nothing to hold on to emotionally. Poignant anthems from Barrino and Brooks notwithstanding, it feels like Bazawule hits pause on the story so his actors can sing karaoke for a few minutes.
As such, the narrative’s triumphs and tragedies don’t pack the same punch as earlier versions because the characters lack the same level of nuance and complexity. That’s despite excellent performances from Barrino, Brooks, Henson and their costars, including Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R. and Halle Bailey.
Nevertheless, the second half of The Color Purple is quite strong – especially the final 40 minutes. Considering my lackluster reaction up to that point, I was surprised to find myself brushing away lots of tears as Celie’s story reached its touching conclusion. Granted, the much-loathed Mister gets a more pronounced redemption arc in this interpretation (which might prove controversial to die-hard admirers of the story, despite Domingo’s phenomenal work), but aside from that massive change, the finale repairs a lot of the film’s earlier missteps.
Grade: B-
(Rated R for language, suicide, some sexuality and drug use. Opens in theaters December 22.)
I was an ’80s kid, which means I grew up in the golden age of professional wrestling. Although I was never a huge fan, a lot of my elementary school friends loved it, which means I absorbed the soap opera-eque stories and mythology through cultural osmosis.
However, one of the sport’s epic dynasties – the rise and tragic fall of the Von Erich family – completely passed me by until writer-director Sean Durkin’s biopic The Iron Claw premiered early last month. For those who don’t mind being “spoiled” (does real life count as a spoiler?), a quick glance at the family’s Wikipedia page will come as a devastating gut punch. While the movie takes some concerning creative liberties – more on that in a moment – the brutal story and some terrific performances from the cast definitely make it worth a watch. Just be sure to bring along some Kleenex.
The Iron Claw chronicles the true, devastating story of the Von Erich brothers (Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson and Stanley Simons), who made pro wrestling history in the early 1980s. Under the shadow of their domineering father/coach (Holt McCallany), the brothers seek immortality on the biggest stage in sports.
There’s no question that the main reasons to see this film are Efron (one of the rare adult actors to make the transition from child star with minimal trauma) and White (best known for his work on television’s Shameless and The Bear), along with Durkin’s naturalistic direction. Despite its 130-minute running time, The Iron Claw never feels too long or slow.
However, it’s strange that in a film devoted to the power of family, specifically the unbreakable bond of brotherly love, Durkin makes the odd creative decision to completely erase a real-life sibling from the story. Perhaps he felt that adding one more tragedy to the pile of misery would make the film implausible, but it still feels like a jarring choice.
Nevertheless, the sheer amount of love, respect and passion that went into The Iron Claw makes it worth seeing on the big screen. I don’t know if the movie will find the awards season love it’s clearly seeking, but I imagine viewers will embrace the troubled, yet devoted Von Erich family.
Grade: B-
Home Video Spotlight
Dumb Money
(Rated R for pervasive language, sexual material and drug use. Now available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital.)
This bonkers true story is the epitome of a David vs. Goliath battle, in which everyday people took on Wall Street and got rich by turning GameStop into the world’s hottest company. At the center of the tale is regular guy Keith Gill (Paul Dano), who sinks his life savings into GameStop stock and posts online about his experience. When his social media blows up, so does his life and those of his followers. As a stock tip turns into a movement, everyone gets rich – until the billionaires fight back. Special features include three behind-the-scenes featurettes; deleted scenes; filmmaker commentary; and a digital copy of the movie.
(Rated R for pervasive language, sexual material and drug use. Now available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital.)
This bonkers true story is the epitome of a David vs. Goliath battle, in which everyday people took on Wall Street and got rich by turning GameStop into the world’s hottest company. At the center of the tale is regular guy Keith Gill (Paul Dano), who sinks his life savings into GameStop stock and posts online about his experience. When his social media blows up, so does his life and those of his followers. As a stock tip turns into a movement, everyone gets rich – until the billionaires fight back. Special features include three behind-the-scenes featurettes; deleted scenes; filmmaker commentary; and a digital copy of the movie.
Reach out to Josh Sewell on Twitter @IAmJoshSewell
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