The fact that Warner released this drama about an up-and-coming 60’s Harlem girl group one week after Dreamgirls premiered in theaters is purely intentional. It’s not bad, but I have the same problem with both films; the music just doesn’t sound very 60’s. Here, the talented Curtis Mayfield could certainly write a tune, but he and the movie are a product of their time – the 1970s. Still, Lonette McKee is stunning (at least until she hooks up with the wrong boyfriend…) and it’s fun to see Philip Michael Thomas pre-Miami Vice and Irene Cara pre-Fame. There are no extras except for a trailer.
Movie Reviews
DVD Review: “Sparkle”
(Warner Home Video, 1975/2007. Widescreen. 1 Disc. 98 minutes. Rated PG.) Directed by Sam O’Steen. Philip Michael Thomas (billed as Philip M. Thomas), Irene Cara, Lonette McKee, Dwan Smith, Mary Alice, Dorian Harewood. Music by Curtis Mayfield.