The Color Purple
An epic tale spanning forty years in the life of Celie (Whoopi Goldberg), an African-American woman living in the South who survives incredible abuse and bigotry.  After Celie's abusive father marries her off to the equally debasing "Mister" Albert Johnson (Danny Glover), things go from bad to worse, leaving Celie to find companionship anywhere she can.  She perseveres, holding on to her dream of one day being reunited with her sister in Africa.  Based on the novel by Alice Walker.
Drama
Amblin Entertainment, The Guber-Peters Company, Warner Bros.
Whoopi Goldberg as Celie, Margaret Avery as Shug Avery, Danny Glover as Albert, Akosua Busia as Netti, Oprah Winfrey as Sofia, Willard E. Pugh as Harpo, Desreta Jackson as Young Celie Harris, Rae Dawn Chong as Squeak, Adolph Caesar as Old Mister, Dana Ivey as Miss Millie, Leonard Jackson as Pa, Bennet Guillory as Grady, John Patton Jr. as Preacher, Carl Anderson as Reverend Samuel, Susan Beaubian as Corrine, James Tillis as Buster, Phillip Strong as Mayor, Laurence Fishburne as Swain, Peto Kinsaka as Adam, Lelo Masamba as Olivia, Jeris Poindexter as Jook Joint Patron