The Purple Rose of Cairo
Performance & Direction: The Purple Rose of Cairo Review
Last updated: February 7, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.4/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Fantasy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Fantasy is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Purple Rose of Cairo features a noteworthy lineup led by Mia Farrow . Supported by the likes of Jeff Daniels and Danny Aiello , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: The Purple Rose of Cairo
Quick Plot Summary: The Purple Rose of Cairo is a Fantasy, Comedy, Romance film that transports viewers to imaginative worlds filled with magic, wonder, and epic adventures. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The film presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. Cecilia is a waitress in New Jersey, living a dreary life during the Great Depression. Her only escape from her mundane reality is the movie theatre. After losing her job, Cecilia goes to see 'The Purple Rose of Cairo' in hopes of raising her spirits, where she watches dashing archaeologist Tom Baxter time and again. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The title establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Ending Explained: The Purple Rose of Cairo
Ending Breakdown: The Purple Rose of Cairo resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to fantasy resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the fantasy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Purple Rose of Cairo reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Purple Rose of Cairo?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Fantasy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Purple Rose of Cairo
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $15.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $10.6M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Purple Rose of Cairo Budget
The estimated production budget for The Purple Rose of Cairo is $15.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Purple Rose of Cairo
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Purple Rose of Cairo Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
MGM Plus Amazon Channel🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV Store
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Apple TV StoreThe Purple Rose of Cairo Parents Guide & Age Rating
1985 AdvisoryWondering about The Purple Rose of Cairo age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Purple Rose of Cairo is 82 minutes (1h 22m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.4/10, and global performance metrics, The Purple Rose of Cairo is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1985 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Purple Rose of Cairo worth watching?
The Purple Rose of Cairo is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Fantasy movies. It has a verified rating of 7.4/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Purple Rose of Cairo parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Purple Rose of Cairo identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Purple Rose of Cairo?
The total duration of The Purple Rose of Cairo is 82 minutes, which is approximately 1h 22m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked The Purple Rose of Cairo
How The Purple Rose of Cairo Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Purple Rose of Cairo
Initially, this reminded me a little of the scenario for “King Kong” as the impressionable young “Cecilia” (Mia Farrow) manages, not unreasonably it has to be said, to get fired from her waitressing job in 1930s New York. Despondent, she heads to the cinema to see the “The Purple Rose of Cairo” only for it’s star “Tom” (Jeff Daniels) to quite literally leap off the screen at her and soon her world is in turmoil. It’s not just her, neither. The studio is complaining that he is doing exactly the same in cinemas all over the shop. That gives “Cecilia” quite a quandary as she knows this man of her dreams cannot be real, whilst the rest of the nation wants to know what happens at the end of the movie - and without it’s star, well we can never find out! What is “Tom” going to decide, too? He is quite taken by his time amongst us non-celluloid types, but… I am not really much of a fan of Daniels, but he works well here as this comedy works on quite a few different levels. On one, it’s an out and out romantic comedy but on others it looks at the effects of the aftermath of the Great Depression, the crucial role of cinema in the lives of so many people and at just how repetitious and dreary life can be as that big screen allures! Meantime, “Tom” is given a rather too realistic glimpse of life on the other side of the reel as he encounters some of the less savoury characters from the time. It’s monochrome photography, Dick Hyman’s quirky score and a charming chemistry between an on form, flighty, Farrow and Daniels all contributes to another piece of gentle nostalgia from a Woody Allen who is very much at the top of his game and from a Stuart Wurtzel whose production design is engaging and sympathetic to the era and to the gently poignant and often quite witty dialogue. I wonder if anyone might make a real archaeological movie called “The Purple Rose of Cairo”?
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
