After reading Bobo's essay regarding the color purple. She does seem to suggest that Spielberg is mostly to blame for what she implies is a failed book to film adaptation of "The Color Purple." This seems largely reinforced with a quote she uses from Spielberg saying he wanted to do something else at the time that did not rely heavily on special effects, but rather, a more character driven film. While he did deliver on that promise, his characters were lost in transition from novel to film. This seems to be defended pretty adequately by Bobo dissecting all of the gross differences between the characters and how they're portrayed in both outlets.

In addition to the issues regarding the characters, there are some narrative issues in the film as well revolving around Spielberg's need to constantly balance every melancholy scene with a more jovial one in order for comic relief. However, it's so rampant throughout the film that it appears to undermine the more serious moments of the film.