[8/10] I’m truly surprised it took me this long to watch this film. I believed I would like it, but knew little about the story, so nearly all of it was a surprise to me. This is my favorite role I’ve seen Whoopi Goldberg in. I was surprised to find that I personally didn’t care for Oprah's performance as much, though it wasn’t necessarily bad or wrong for the film. The story starts strong, but some unfamiliar parents may be surprised by the more intense subject matter throughout the first 10 or 15 minutes. There is more physical and verbal abuse (and other traumas) over the course of the film, though it’s slightly more toned down as the story progresses. I found the relationship between Celie and Shug (and Mister/Albert) to be fascinating. This is a story I imagine would be even better in book form (I have not read it!), though the film really is well done. I do wonder what compelled Steven Spielberg to direct it. It's hard not to wonder what it might have been with a different director, but Spielberg’s direction was clearly intentional and left a lasting impact on audiences then and now. I cried many times throughout—sometimes from very small and subtle moments, and at other times, I was sobbing. The reunion of Celie and Nettie was so incredibly bittersweet. My heart felt broken and full all at the same time. I can see why it's a classic, though I’m not sure it will make it to a rewatch for me.