Sparkle

Just how strong are family bonds? When dreams fall apart, can family members hold each other together? Set in the late 1960’s, Sparkle explores these questions and more.

Musical prodigy Sparkle (Jordin Sparks, American Idol season 6 winner) and her two older sisters, Sister (Carmen Ejogo) and Dolores (Tika Sumpter), live with their not-very-encouraging mother Emma (the late Whitney Houston) in an affluent area of Detroit. After singing in a church choir, the three girls are encouraged to form a girl group and quickly become a Motown sensation.

The film tells Sparkle’s story as she struggles with the changes and unexpected challenges that stardom bring. Sparkle becomes romantically involved with her music manager, Stix (Derek Luke), while one of her sisters gets lured into an abusive and drug-filled relationship with Satin, a wealthy comedian (Mike Epps). Along the way Sparkle and her family contend with a host of problems.

Directed by Salim Akil from a screenplay by Mara Brock Akil, Sparkle is a remake of the 1976 film of the same name, which was loosely based on the experiences of the musical group The Supremes. While the film is Jordin Sparks’ debut as an actress, it also marks Whitney Houston’s final feature film role, as she passed away three months after filming concluded. The film, which is set for release on August 17, 2012 by Columbia Pictures (Sony), will be dedicated to Houston’s memory. Sparkle features songs from the original film as well as new compositions from R&B artist R. Kelly.