MovieChat Forums > The Color Purple (1986) Discussion > how old was celie by the end of the film...

how old was celie by the end of the film???

posted 11 years ago by Neptunechild87
16 replies | jump to latest

either way its such a bittersweet ending. it was wonderful that she finally stood up to mister but kinda pathetic because it took her what seemed like an eternity to finally do it.

[–] shimotorres 11 years ago

I didn't notice if there was a time stamp on the last sequence of events, but my guess based on the fashion of the clothing is it was in the 1940s. If Celia was 14 when she gave birth to Olivia (I think I caught that in the dialogue?), then she was born in 1895, so she was in her mid to late 40s when she reunited with her children.

It took her so long because she needed help to break free - a means to the end. She didn't have that until Shug got the whole picture and then planned with Celia to take her away and help her. Remember the first time Shug came, Celia wanted to run away with her and was about to get in the car when Shug oblivously shut the car door. Shug didn't realize Celia was trying to escape with her, and Celia couldn't blurt out "take me with you" in front of Mister.

[–] chiligirl-1 11 years ago

Also, when Shug came back the 2nd time, she had the money and the means to help Celie. She was married and had her own life more together and was able to help her.

No more rhymes now and I mean it! Anybody want a peanut?

[–] chiligirl-1 11 years ago

Okay.. I just got to the end. It started in 1909 and she was 14, and at the end when she inherits the house and gets her pants shop, it's 1937. So she was 42 years old. Young by today's standards, but old back then. =)

No more rhymes now and I mean it! Anybody want a peanut?

[–] Neptunechild87 11 years ago

42 years old??!! no way!! she looked at least 70 something! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQbH32KcjG0

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Neptunechild87 11 years ago

ok i was kidding but i still dont see 42 tho.....

[–] chiligirl-1 11 years ago

Well, she established the pants shop in 1937, but I guess her sister didn't come for a few more years, so maybe she was a little older. Depends on how many years she lived alone after she left Mister. The film didn't have a date on that part.. Maybe 5 years? So 47 ISH?? ( I had posted my previous post right after she left him and got the pants shop started. I didn't realize there was still time til she met her kids.)

No more rhymes now and I mean it! Anybody want a peanut?

[–] kayeinspire 11 years ago

LOL

[–] lilcharmer 11 years ago

Yes, she does look really old!!

This movie use to come on cable a lot and for awhile I found myself trying to count the years along so I could figure out her age during different scenes and I believe I also came up with early 40s around the end.

But she looked SO much older, it always threw me off and I thought I must be wrong.

But I guess not. That is what a lifetime of hardship gets you.

[–] BeefStroganoff 11 years ago

Whoopi, now, in her late 50s still doesn't look as old as her character in that film. I haven't seen a black woman that looked as old as Celie did (at 40). I thought she was at least 50 by the end of the film.

[–] Neptunechild87 11 years ago

she looked older than 50 to be honest.

[–] vababy 10 years ago

Yea her and Sophia looked roughly around late 59s early 60s in that part

[–] KCohere 10 years ago

She didnt look that old to me. You must be really young yourself. She looked about mid to late 40s to me. I imagine people just aged faster back then.

[–] vgarci2003 8 years ago

That's what abuse does to a woman.

[–] fiatlux-1 10 years ago

I believe she was supposed to be in her mid-late 40s. I too thought she looked MUCH older!
I would have guessed at least late 50s!

I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus.
Didn't he discover America?
Penfold, shush.

[–] abajasds 10 years ago

Well after living such a hard life of taking care of Albert and no doubt the farmer and all those children, plus being abused you might look old before your time. And Celie looked maybe 60's by the late 1930's.

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