Synopsis
Musical prodigy, Sparkle struggles to become a star while overcoming issues that are tearing her family apart. From an affluent Detroit area and daughter to a single mother, she tries to balance a new romance with music manager Stix while dealing with the unexpected challenges her new life will bring as she and her two sisters strive to become a dynamic singing group during the Motown-era.
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Cast
- Jordin SparksSparkle
- Whitney HoustonEmma
- Derek LukeStix
- Mike EppsSatin
- Carmen EjogoSister
- Tika SumpterDelores
- Omari HardwickLevi
- Cee Lo GreenBlack
- Curtis ArmstrongLarry
- Terrence JenkinsRed
Recommendations
- 75
Chicago Tribune
Most of the stuff that's new in the new Sparkle, written by Mara Brock Akil (who is married to the director), is shrewd and cleverly considered. The stuff that's old is what people responded to back in '76. - 70
Arizona Republic
Sparkle is pure melodrama, but it's a high-powered, well-acted, entertaining melodrama. You may not always believe it, but you won't be bored. - 70
The Hollywood Reporter
The look, styles, dialogue and attitudes all feel more 21st century than 1968, but this new Sparkle still sparkles more brightly than its 1976 namesake, which was a sort of rough draft for Dreamgirls. - 63
Boston Globe
It's a better movie than what's inspired it, but that fails to explain much. It's like preferring the line at the concession stand to the one for the bathroom. - 60
New York Daily News
A strong cast, empathetic direction and memorable soundtrack help create a movie that does everyone proud. - 60
Time
Sparkle, while occasionally silly in a way that made a preview audience titter, is decent entertainment. - 50
Slant Magazine
Whitney Houston's death is just about the only thing that gives the film real, albeit mostly unintentional, life. - 50
Variety
Sparkle deals in such well-worn rise-and-fall music-bio tropes that it's hard to blame it for simply coasting on narrative shorthand at times. But the lackadaisical storytelling can inch toward outright laziness.
