![]() But, like her character, she gains her footing. But she looks clear-eyed and handsome when she shows up at Sparkle's big concert.Īs the insecure, innocent ingenue, Sparks, 22, seems a bit tentative at first. Her lone vocal performance comes on "His Eye Is on the Sparrow," an old spiritual, and her once-gorgeous, stratospheric voice sounds weathered and dulled. At times, she looks to be in a glassy-eyed haze, which doesn't befit a rehabbed, Bible-teaching dress-shop owner. "The Bodyguard" star gives a curious performance in her final role, which is a modest one. And - guess what? - Houston, the conflicted but proud mama, is clapping in the theater. When Sister ends up in jail for accidentally killing her abusive beau and the middle sister goes off to college, Sparkle (Sparks), a reluctant singer but gifted songwriter, steps up to the microphone solo. In short: The oldest daughter and lead singer, Sister (the tough and sultry Carmen Ejogo), moves in with a high-living comedian (the pimpish Mike Epps). But what prevents "Sparkle" from shimmering is a predictable plot. The music and characterizations are strong. The camera adores Sparks, though she is no Jennifer Hudson. Houston, who died three months after filming wrapped, holds her own, though she looks a bit out of it at times. Houston was 13 when it came out, and the film reportedly inspired her so much that she watched it over and over as a teenager, and later secured the remake rights. No, this isn't a redo of "Dreamgirls." This is a makeover of 1976's "Sparkle," which starred "Flashdance" singer Irene Cara. The film tells the story of three sisters who want to become the next Supremes over the protestations of their church-going single mom (Houston), a former R&B singer who got burned by the music biz. ![]() "Sparkle" commands attention because it's the last movie for Whitney Houston and the first for "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |