Sparkle (1976)

Directed by

Sam O'Steen

Genre

musical film, blaxploitation film

Country

United States

Runtime

1h 38m

Rated

PG

Rating

7.3 of 10 from 23 voters

Elsewhere

IMDb

How it feels

Set in Harlem during the late 1950s and early 1960s, the film follows a girl group whose rising success strains their relationships. Personal struggles and outside pressures cause the group to fall apart.

periodmusicalnostalgicdramaticpoignantenergeticbittersweet

What happens

Sparkle is a 1976 American musical drama film directed by Sam O'Steen and released by Warner Bros. Pictures. With a plot inspired by the history of the Supremes, Sparkle is a period film set in Harlem, New York, during the late 1950s and early 1960s. It presents the story of a musical girl group that ends up breaking apart due to individual issues each member faces. This film not only "recreates the magic of a special period in American history, but it explores the effect of Harlem's musical and social culture on the rest of the world", as well as the linkages to black power. The film stars Irene Cara, Philip Michael Thomas, Lonette McKee, Dwan Smith, Mary Alice, Dorian Harewood, and Tony King. Curtis Mayfield served as the composer and producer of Sparkle's songs and score. Although the film received generally negative reviews at the time of release, it was a minor box office success, making $4 million against a $1 million budget. It has since developed a cult following. The film was remade in 2012 starring Jordin Sparks, Carmen Ejogo, Tika Sumpter, and Whitney Houston in her final film role. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

Trailer

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