Sparkle

Author(s): Chris Perkins
Location: Illinois

“Sparkle"

Distributed By DreamWorks
Directed By John Singleton
Produced By Joel Schumacher
Written By Tina Gordon Chism (writer of Drumline & ATL)
Music By The Underdogs (Dreamgirls)
Art Direction By Scott Plauche (Ray)
Costume Design By Shawn Barton (Idlewild)
Cinematography By Edward Lachman (A Prairie Home Companion)
Sound By Shawn Holden (Dreamgirls)

Principal Cast:

Cassie as Sparkle
Ne-Yo as Stix
Alicia Keys as Sister
LeToya Luckette as Dolores
Angela Bassett as Effie
Nick Cannon as Levi
Terrence Howard as Satin

Tagline: "Some Dreams Never Come True"

Release Date: December 14, 2007

Rated PG-13 for violence, some sexuality, drug use and some language

Synopsis: Living in the violent streets of Harlem during the 1950's, the Williams sisters live with their hardworking maid of a mother Effie (Angela Bassett) who tries to keep her three daughters safe. Alicia Keys plays Sister, the oldest and free-spirited daughter that Effie keeps her eye particularly on after she caught Sister and her boyfriend having sex. LeToya Luckette plays Dolores, the strong-willed daughter who wants to make a better life for her self outside of Harlem. Lastly, Cassie plays the title character. Sparkle is a quiet and shy young woman in love with her friend Stix (Ne-Yo), a young man who wants to become a famous song writer. After singing together at church one morning, the Williams' sisters are approached by Stix to join a talent show as an all-girl trio. The sisters win the competition and start entering more contests. Stix becomes the girl's manager and songwriter. Soon the girls are performing regularly at a night club called the Shan-Doo Club. At the club one night, Sister meets Satin (Terrence Howard), a local gangster and drug dealer, after Levi (Nick Cannon), Stix's best friend, introduces them. Sister then moves in with Satin after their relationship gets serious. Sister begins getting abused by Satin and starts taking drugs. Sister becomes so messed up that she is unable to perform with her sisters and the three end up dropping their act at the club. Dolores, who has become distraught over her sister's new lifestyle, moves out of Harlem to find a better life. After months of struggling with drugs, Sister suddenly dies. Stix tries to reconcile with Sparkle after he left to find a job in California after the sisters broke up. Sparkle forgives Stix and the two move out to California where Stix has found a job at a black record label as a song writer and producer. Sparkle becomes the star that her sisters would've been with her.

What the press would say:

Sparkle is the modern day remake of the 1976 cult classic of the same name. Originally written by Joel Schumacher and Howard Rosenman and directed by Sam O' Steen, Tina Gordon Chism (the writer of Drumline and ATL) writes and John Singleton (Boyz N Da Hood) directs this dazzling and soul filled musical drama about the ups and downs of fame and life. Curtis Mayfield's original music is still used in this film but is updated by The Underdogs (Dreamgirls). They make the songs hard to forget. The performances in this film are just incredible but there are three that really stand out. Alicia Keys should get consideration for her work for her heartbreaking turn as Sister, a free-spirited and some what promiscuous young woman whose life ends tragically. Ne-Yo is charming and confidient in his performance as Stix, the Williams' sisters' manager, friend and songwriter. And Cassie shines through as Sparkle, the sister that becomes the star and the title character. Sparkle is going to be an audience favorite and shouldn't be forgotten come awards season.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
BEST PICTURE (COMEDY OR MUSICAL - G. GLOBES)
BEST DIRECTOR (JOHN SINGLETON)
BEST ENSEMBLE CAST (SAG AWARDS)
BEST ACTRESS (ALICIA KEYS)
BEST ACTRESS (CASSIE)
BEST ACTOR (NE-YO)
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
BEST FILM EDITING
BEST ART DIRECTION
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
BEST SOUND MIXING