Classics: A Review of The Color Purple By Lauren Ennis

 "I think it pisses God off if someone walks by The Color Purple in a field somewhere and don't notice" free spirited blues singer Shug Avery tells her friend, Celie. Over the course of forty years Celie learns to find her own bit of purple amidst the tangled weeds of abuse, poverty, and tragedy that make up the field of her life. Nearly forty years after its release The Color Purple remains one of the most visceral, compelling, and inspiring films in modern cinema. Join Celie and discover the beauty of The Color Purple.

The story begins in 1910 Georgia with teen sisters Celie and Nettie playing in a field of purple flowers. The heartwarming tone is abruptly shifts when it is revealed that the girls lives are marked by poverty and abuse. In a letter to God Celie confesses that she is pregnant for the second time after years of suffering sexual abuse at the hands of her step-father. In an effort to conceal his guilt, when Celie's second child is born her step-father arranges for the bay to be adopted and Celie to be married to a neighboring farmer. She soon finds herself in even more dire circumstances when her husband subjects her to emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. In what is perhaps his greatest act of cruelty, her husband goes on to forbid her from seeing the one person who has ever shown her any real love; Nettie. Over the ensuing years Celie endures abuse and tragedy against the backdrop of a changing South. What follows is a tale of resilience and triumph in the face of adversity and a testament to the human spirit.

The Color Purple brings Alice Walker's 1985 novel to visceral life. While the film approaches the novel's difficult subject matter with sensitivity it does so without flinching from the brutal reality of Celie's existence. In this way, the film challenges viewers to confront the all too real horrors of sexual abuse, domestic violence, poverty, and prejudice without resorting to heavy handed messages or lecturing. Perhaps the films greatest success is its ability to put a human face on these issues in a way that will leave viewers contemplating their full impact long after the final credits fade. Despite its harsh subject matter, however, the film is infused with a hope, humor, and humanity that ensure the story avoids becoming offputtingly bleak without reducing its power. As a result, the film manages to be gritty without becoming gratuitous and empathetic rather than exploitative as it treats viewers to one of the most compelling experiences in modern cinema. Follow Celie for the journey of a lifetime as she discovers the meaning of The Color Purple.

The film transports viewers to the gritty reality of the turn of the century South thanks to the brilliant work of its cast. Danny Glover perfectly conveys the cruelty of Celie's husband, known only as Mister, while still infusing him with insecurity and immaturity. Oprah Winfrey is a force of nature as Celie's outspoken daughter-in-law, Sophia. Willard Pugh lends an apt comic turn as Celie's hapless step-son, Harpo. Akosua Busia infuses Nettie with warmth and quiet strength. Margaret Avery proves to be a scene stealer as Mister's former mistress turned Celie's love interest, sultry singer Shug. Whoopie Goldberg turns in the performance of her career in her portrayal of Celie's transformation from battered victim to independent and resilient survivor.

All of the most inspiringly bright and devastatingly dark shades of the human experience can be found in The Color Purple. The script brings Walker's novel to visceral life as it unflinchingly depicts Celie's tragedies and triumphs. The stellar work of the cast brings each of the characters to screen with complexity and humanity. Witness the power of cinema in the beauty of The Color Purple.

I'm not crying, you're crying!

Classics: A Review of Don Juan Demarco By Lauren Ennis

 What does it mean to love a woman? This is the mystery that Don Juan DeMarco dedicates his life to solving. In 1994's romantic comedy Don Juan DeMarco a psychiatrist attempts to treat a patient with an unusual delusion; he has fallen head over heels in love with love. What ensures is an unorthodox treatment that ultimately heals doctor and patient alike and leaves the entire hospital looking for love. This Valentine's Day fall under the spell of Don Juan DeMarco.

The story begins with a young man dressed suspiciously like Zorro approaching a woman at a hotel. Although she's waiting for another man she gives in to the Latin lover's charms and spends the night with him. After this final conquest, he immediately sets out on his plan to commit suicide. He is next seen poised to jump of a billboard  featuring a photo of his lost love, the centerfold model he calls Dona Ana. Following this stunt he is promptly admitted to a mental institution and placed under the care of Dr. Jack Mickler. Over the course of his ten day evaluation he regals the doctor with tales of his conquests and his rejection by his one true love, the mysterious Dona Ana. Even though he is sure that the don is actually a young man from Queens suffering from grandiose delusions the doctor is charmed by his stories. Over the course of the evaluation, however, the doctor begins to wonder if there might be some truth to the legend of Don Juan after all.

The film mixes comedy and romance to create a love letter to all things love. The script makes the most of the story's outrageous premise by relating Don Juan's full story in a series of flashbacks that are charged as much by comedy as by eroticism. Despite its sensual subject the film wisely leaves the full details of its hero's exploits largely to the imagination. In this way, the film is in keeping with his insistence that it is love and not lust that he is seeking, and is all the sexier for it. Even as it follows its hero from one conquest to the next the film's beating heart lies in the bond between its two leads. Though he is tasked with curing Don Juan, it is Dr. Mickler who is left profoundly changed by their time together. While he remains skeptical of the young man's stories, the doctor sees that there is beauty and truth within them. It is through this shift in his perspective that he regains his passion for both his profession and his marriage. As a result, both men learn the value in recognizing the world for what it is while still seeing it for what it could be. Through its elusive blend of fact and fiction the film relates a fantasy that viewers will be hard pressed not to fall for.

The legend of Don Juan is brought to vibrant life thanks to the work of its cast. Geraldine Pailhas infuses Dona Ana with warmth, mystique, and sensuality. Faye Dunaway shows off a welcome wit as Dr. Mickler's wife, Marilyn. Marlon Brando turns in an infectiously fun performance in his depiction of Dr. Mickler's transformation from staid psychiatrist to passionate lover. Johnny Depp reminds viewers that he is far more than a mere pretty face in a turn that blends roguish charm, vulnerability, and comedic skill.

In its blend of fantasy and fact and comedy and romance Don Juan DeMarco reminds us of what a romantic comedy should be. The script pays affectionate homage to the romance genre while offering a loving send-up of its inherent absurdities. As a result, the script balances unabashed romance with uproarious humor to expert effect. The performances of the cast sparkle with effervescent charm as they bring the world of Don Juan to outlandish life. This Valentine's Day surrender to the charms of Don Juan DeMarco.