Sparkle is a movie about three sisters struggling to make it in the music business. Sadly, it is also the last movie singer Whitney Houston made before she died. The film also stars Jordin Sparks, winner of American Idol, in her film debut.
I loved watching the original 1976 version starring Irene Cara (from the movie Flashdance) and Philip Michael Thomas (from the TV show Miami Vice). The remake is not only as good as the original, it features fabulous singing talent as well. Both movies are set in the 1960's, but the original takes place in Harlem, New York while the newer version was moved to Detroit, Michigan, home of legendary Motown singing group, the Supremes, who inspired the movie.
My favorite quote from the movie: "Sister can't fly with only one wing!"
Sparkle is an aspiring songwriter who encourages her sexier older sister to sing her songs in hot, steamy nightclubs. An eager manager named Stix (played by Derek Luke) tells Sparkle that girl singing groups are "hotter than ever". He convinces Sparkle to form a group with her sisters. The problem is their strict, overprotective mother (played by Whitney Houston). The girls defiantly sneak out of the house to perform. Sister really heats up the stage with her sultry voice and her scandalously short dresses, but she becomes hypnotized by the dangers that come with their newfound fame. A slick-talking comedian named Satin (played by Mike Epps) leads her down a dark path of drugs and domestic violence.
It was quite eerie watching Whitney Houston, who died four days after she filmed her final scene. I thought Houston was classy and totally believable as a strong mother trying to protect her three daughters from the brutal life she herself once led as a professional singer. To me the final scenes between Sister and Satin are heartwrenching both in the original and the remake. A must-see movie for R&B music fans!
Cast of Sparkle
Sparkle Williams - Jordin Sparks
Tammy "Sister" Williams - Carmen Ejogo
Delores Williams - Tika Sumpter
Emma Williams - Whitney Houston
Stix - Derek Luke
Satin - Mike Epps
Levi - Omari Hardwick