The Color Purple

The music used in the film The Color Purple changes and grows just as the plot and characters do. It is also used a tool to mirror or highlight the action in the movie. At the beginning there is a lot of music, although it is not wall to wall. Ironically, however, the music stays along the course of string and orchestral sound that is upbeat, lively, and surprisingly hopeful considering the harsh and violent scenes that accompany them. Even when the sister is being torn from the home, the music is only somber for a little but and ends on a high, uplifting note. The music stays calm and low, not becoming too dramatic or intense.

There was also so playful uses of the instruments in the film. Some illustrating was used throughout, perhaps to show that Celie wasn't always down-trodden despite her situation. When Sophie and Celie are gardening, the music mirrors their actions. Likewise, when Shug is arriving again Celie rushing upstairs around the room and the music emulates her actions.
Leitmotifs are somewhat used, at least in the case of Shug. Whenever she is in a scene, brass instruments and jazz like sounds follow. When she is singing at the club she sings jazz as well, mirroring her loose and wild lifestyle.

The music ranges to not only string, orchestral underscoring but also covers other areas as well. Diagetic music is used during all the church scenes and when Shug is taking a bath and singing. the composer makes an interesting move by having diagetic Christmas music play at the store when Sophie is there with her boss. This music continues as underscoring as they get in the car. Only because of this music does the audience question the time of year or realize why she would be so happy to go home and see her kids. Similarly, African music and tribal music is played when Celie is reading the letters from her sister. This realm of the plot is tied together with Celie's point of view most notably when she is about to shave her husband's face and the sound of the razor on the belt mirrors the sound of the African instruments.

Overall, the music in this movie was very diverse and eclectic but served its role very well. it aided in the many dimensions of the movie and helped with the progression of the plot as well as the personal progression of the characters.