MOVIE OF THE WEEK (8/17/12): SPARKLE
"We may be smiling ... But the heels we've got on are killing our feet right now!" Sister Williams (Carmen Ejogo) and her titular character sister (Jordin Sparks) dance the night away in a scene from director Salim Akil's remake of SPARKLE. Credit: Alica Gbur © 2012 Stage 6 Films. All Rights Reserved.
KEY CAST MEMBERS: Jordin Sparks, Derek Luke, Whitney Houston, Mike Epps,Carmen Ejogo, Tika Sumpter, Omari Hardwick, Curtis Armstrong and Cee-Lo Green
WRITER(S): Mara Brock Akil (screenplay); Adam McKay, Chris Henchy and Shawn Harwell (story)
DIRECTOR: Salim Akil (screenplay); Joel Schumacher and Howard Rosenman (story)
WEB SITE: www.sparkle-movie.com/
THE PLOT: A remake, sorry - "re-envisoning" (that's the popular word these days) - of the 1970s hit film of the same name that helped launch Irene Cara's musical career, the 2012 version of Sparkle stars American Idol alum-turned-actress Jordin Sparks in the titular role. A shy Detroit youth living in the city at the height of the Motown era, Sparkle Williams is an aspiring songwriter with dreams of one day making it big in music. While her sister Dee (Tika Sumpter) - like Sparkle - can sing, she has dreams of becoming a doctor so music is just a hobby for her.
Likewise, the same can be said for Sparkle's sister, Sister (Carmen Ejogo), who stage presence is clear the moment the two sneak out to a local nightclub. Singing a song Sparkle wrote for her, Sister is an instant hit at the club, attracting the attention of aspiring music mogul Stix (Derek Luke) and future boyfriend Levi (Omari Hardwick).
Also attracted to Sparkle, however, is local comedy (well, not in the black community due to the nature of his material) star Satin Struthers (Mike Epps). With Satin being a man used to getting what he wants and Sparkle's longing for anything that will lead her to a seemingly better life, their mutual attraction could be a great - or ghastly - affair ...
Especially if the first woman in Sparkle's family – the sisters' overprotective, deeply religious mother Emma (Whitney Houston) – has anything to say about it.
Likewise, the same can be said for Sparkle's sister, Sister (Carmen Ejogo), who stage presence is clear the moment the two sneak out to a local nightclub. Singing a song Sparkle wrote for her, Sister is an instant hit at the club, attracting the attention of aspiring music mogul Stix (Derek Luke) and future boyfriend Levi (Omari Hardwick).
Also attracted to Sparkle, however, is local comedy (well, not in the black community due to the nature of his material) star Satin Struthers (Mike Epps). With Satin being a man used to getting what he wants and Sparkle's longing for anything that will lead her to a seemingly better life, their mutual attraction could be a great - or ghastly - affair ...
Especially if the first woman in Sparkle's family – the sisters' overprotective, deeply religious mother Emma (Whitney Houston) – has anything to say about it.
THE TAKE: First things first – I'm not going to do any eulogizing/criticizing/rememberance of Sparkle's late star, Whitney Houston. If you are looking for that, go read it pretty much all over Twitter, Facebook an pretty much any gossip/celebrity site on the Internet. I'm simply going to stick to reviewing the film itself.
That being said, I will say this: Sparkle is a very good film that will make you think if Houston had only followed the advice her character gave out, she might be alive today to enjoy the spoils of her contributions to an entertaining film.
The 2012 version of Sparkle changes up a few elements from the original film in terms of what happens to certain characters, but not so drastically that it changes the essence of the film as a whole: The classic story of (well, not in this case) small town girl overcomes hardship and finally cracks through to the big time to live out her dream.
Much like Dreamgirls, Sparkle entertains on the strength of the undeniable musical talents of its stars and the personality infused into their respective roles. Whereas Jordin Sparks is perfectly cast as an introvert, Luke plays his position well in balancing out Stix. Likewise, Ejogo pretty much owns every scene she's in as the doomed damsel that can't be saved from herself while Sumpter adds humor and common sense as the straight laced Dee.
That being said, I will say this: Sparkle is a very good film that will make you think if Houston had only followed the advice her character gave out, she might be alive today to enjoy the spoils of her contributions to an entertaining film.
The 2012 version of Sparkle changes up a few elements from the original film in terms of what happens to certain characters, but not so drastically that it changes the essence of the film as a whole: The classic story of (well, not in this case) small town girl overcomes hardship and finally cracks through to the big time to live out her dream.
Much like Dreamgirls, Sparkle entertains on the strength of the undeniable musical talents of its stars and the personality infused into their respective roles. Whereas Jordin Sparks is perfectly cast as an introvert, Luke plays his position well in balancing out Stix. Likewise, Ejogo pretty much owns every scene she's in as the doomed damsel that can't be saved from herself while Sumpter adds humor and common sense as the straight laced Dee.
Longstanding Epps fans may be surprised – and a little shocked – at how well he plays gangster-in-the-original-film-turned-stand-up-comic-with-a-darkside Satin. For Epps, who was once considered the front runner to star in a biopic about the late Richard Pryor, shows that behind his always smiling face lies a man with the talent to play someone who gives Sister nothing to smile about.
Houston, tragically, is the one that comes out the biggest winner in the film – and I say tragically since she is not alive to enjoy it. For she gives the most defined performance and – spoiler alert! - considering she only sings once in the film's 2 hour run time, that is no easy feat. Director Salim Akil gets the most out of the late musician as he does the cast as a whole ... Ultimately turning the film into a fine piece of work fans of musicals and African-American cinema will enjoy after the final credits have rolled.
PARTING SHOT: A film that will likely be remembered more for the tragic death of its senior key player more so than the effective performances behind it, Sparkle does in a way sure to entertain audiences.
RATING (OUT OF FOUR BUCKETS OF POPCORN):
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