There are some movies that stay with us for a lifetime and a few songs we never get tired of. For me, "The Color Purple" fills the bill on both!
I saw this movie the first time at the theater, if memory serves. I also recall the great controversy over the scene in which the characters Shug and Celie exchange a hesitant kiss. Yes-two women kiss, full on the mouth! Not only that, but Shug moves Celie's shoulder strap off to one side. Can you imagine the moral outrage expressed by some at that time?! My God-the Jerry Falwells and Pat Robertsons of the world were appalled at this obviously lesbian encounter.
The real meaning of that scene was lost on these religious folks. Here is Celie, feeling ugly and dumb from years of "Mister" telling her she was nothing more than that. Now, he brings home his lover and expects Celie to care for this drunken tramp! Of course, Shug also tells Celie , "You sho' is ugly!" as she falls down inebriated.
But, as the film continues, we see Shug and Celie both transformed. Shug finds compassion within her heart that she surely thought was dead, and Celie becomes the strong, confident woman we hoped she would eventually be.
The real turning point for them both is that scene the homophobic zealots railed about. In that moment, sitting on the bed where Mister had basically raped her repeatedly throughout their marriage, Celie is finally the recipient of tenderness, love and respect. Shug becomes, in the end, Celie's salvation, even if she hasn't been able to save herself, thus far.
Of course, if you have seen the full movie, you know that Shug's estranged father "sees the light" in this very moving, musical scene. Father and daughter forgive and embrace, as the choir and congregation belt out the rest of the song. "Lord, speak to me" is their plea and a prayer that is answered so positively, it's hard to imagine there were so called "moral" people who were angered by it!
These are my thoughts on a Saturday morning in Iowa. (Interestingly, Iowa legalized gay marriage several years ago. Much to the far Right's dismay, the state did not fall apart and no lesbians took over the place. The zealots would have liked it to be disastrous. It has been nothing of the sort.)
Kindness is right, compassion is good, and love is of God(whatever you believe that to be). Ms. Celie and Shug show us these virtues in much better form than any holy book or man ever could.
There is so much to like about this film, but these are the two scenes I really connect with. They are both about true redemption and that's something that can never be wrong!
