THE COLOR PURPLE
The director stumbles into Oscarbait, but the good kind, and comes up with a movie that demonstrates that his powers can be used for edification as well as entertainment—while also showcasing a pacey and unfocused screenplay, for almost a full hour longer than it really needs to showcase it. (The even shorter, snarkier version is, "Welcome to the Spielberg... of the future!")
1985
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Written by Menno Meyjes (based on the novel by Alice Walker)
With Whoopi Goldberg/Desreta Jackson (Celie Johnson, nee Harris), Akosua Busia (Nettie Harris), Oprah Winfrey (Sofia Johnson), Margaret Avery (Shug Avery), Willard E. Pugh (Harpo Johnson), and Danny Glover ("Mister" Albert Johnson)
Spoiler alert: moderate
