BBBB.5
(out of 5)
Whoopi Goldberg makes a beautiful film acting debut as a mistreated woman in Georgia in the early teens and twenties, whose own sad story is surrounded by the misfortunes of close friends around her. Steven Spielberg directs everyone to one extreme or another throughout–you’re either a big villain or the most noble person in the world, while Allen Daviau’s cinematography is ripely colourful to the point of almost being twee. These contrivances deprive the film of complex humanity (or enough complexity to justify its long running time), but the actors’ compassion and some extremely touching moments make it not only worthwhile but very memorable. Those wanting to see a film richly steeped in the experience of African-American history and mythology, however, should go with Beloved instead.
Amblin Entertainment, The Guber-Peters Company, Warner Bros.
USA, 1985
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Screenplay by Menno Meyjes, based on the novel by Alice Walker
Cinematography by Allen Daviau
Produced by Quincy Jones, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Steven Spielberg
Music by Quincy Jones
Production Design by J. Michael Riva
Costume Design by Aggie Guerard Rodgers
Film Editing by Michael Kahn
Academy Awards: 1985
