Lisa Johnson Mandell’s The Color Purple review shows she’s puzzled by the fact that such heinous abuse inspires such jolly musical numbers. Her Wonka review cheers the magical prequel.

The Color Purple Review

Just in time for Christmas – a jaunty movie musical about incest, rape and abuse. Hope I see tickets for that one in my stocking!

And while we’re on a holiday theme, if you’re looking for a family movie that inspires “good will toward men,” you’d best look elsewhere. All males, in The Color Purple, both black and white, are portrayed as cruel, brutal, vicious, deceitful, misanthropic, violent, ignorant, and at best, hapless. No amount of rollicking big production numbers or last minute repentance can atone for their collective sins.

I am not comparing director Blitz Bazawule’s callous version of The Color Purple to the Broadway musical it’s based on, to Steven Spielberg’s 1985 version, or to Alice Walker’s 1982 novel. Bazawule has made the story his own, and it should be judged on its own merits, or lack thereof.

And it does have some admirable merits. The performances, especially by Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks and Taraji P. Henson, are extraordinarily moving. Also, the cinematography is rich and expressive.

Then there are the musical production numbers, which are are a gorgeous sight to behold, if confusing and tone deaf. Poor Celie has been raped and beaten by her “father,” and he’s pried the resulting babies away from her and dispatched with them, then he cavalierly sends her off to marry a degenerate who rapes, beats and abuses her even more. But everything is made happy and sunny again when her sister drops in for a cheery duet.

That’s just one example of these jarring, but well produced musical interludes. There are many, and they trivialize the gravity of the truly unconscionable crimes they flimsily attempt to bandage.

Why are so few people talking about abuse exploitation for its perceived entertainment value? Didn’t we get enough of that in Precious, Oprah?

It’s interesting that this version of The Color Purple is being released in the same window as the brilliant American Fiction. That film, and the novel on which it’s based, Erasure by Percival Everett, throws shade on exactly this type of reductive storytelling. Your time, money and brain will be infinitely better served by seeing American Fiction.

Rated PG-13

2 Hours 20 Minutes

If, after reading this The Color Purple review, you’re still interested in seeing it, get times and tickets at Fandango.com.

Wonka Review

“Come with me and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination.”

Now this is the kind of holiday musical the whole family can enjoy, with sweet visual and musical treats for everyone. Who doesn’t want to get some insight into how one of Roald Dahl’s most beloved characters came to be? In a season, and a year, when most of us are in desperate need of an escape from the sorrows and injustices of the world, Wonka serves up a delightful respite.

Timothée Chalamet does Wonka’s youthful, and at this point innocent, character justice. It’s lovely to see this talented actor in such a fluffernutter role. He should not be condemned because he’s not a Broadway belter. His pipes are certainly serviceable, as were Gene Wilder’s before him.

And speaking of light hearted rolls, Olivia Coleman is a hoot as the despicable and conniving innkeeper the young Wonka stumbles upon when he first arrives in the city where he believes he can make all his chocolate dreams come true.

She’s aided by an able supporting cast, highlighted by radiant young newcomer Calah Lane as Wonka’s plucky cohort, Downton Abbey’s Jim Carter as a beleaguered accountant, and Hugh Grant who plays the original Oompa Loompa with rakish elan.

The world of pure imagination they create together is wondrous and sugary choleric intake inspiring, which is exactly what we come to see. What it lacks in the edge and gravitas we may be expecting, it makes up for in radiant art design and good natured movie magic.

Theaters will doubtless make a fortune on chocolate and other sweet confections while Wonka is in residence. Hey, I couldn’t resist running to the cupboard and downing a See’s Dark Scotchmallow as I wrote this. But it’s okay to indulge in something purely delightful every now and then. Thank you, director Paul King (known for the Paddington films) for providing with a few more moments of simple, sweet delight.

Rated PG

1 Hour 56 Minutes

If this Wonka review encourages you to grab the family and skip out to the cineplex, get times and tickets at Fandango.com.

Lisa Johnson Mandell’s The Color Purple review shows she’s puzzled by the fact that such heinous abuse inspires such jolly musical numbers. Her Wonka review cheers the magical prequel.