For
the first hour of the film I thought I was watching a third rate
version of “Dreamgirls” with my comparing the characters in “Sparkle”
to their counterparts in the movie version of the former. Yes, there is
Mike Epps playing the Eddie Murphy role and Carmen Ejogo could have
stepped in for Beyonce. We have the three girls doing a Diana Ross and
the Supremes act not to mention the guy who believes in them and, yes,
it takes place in Detroit, with references to Motown, along with Martin
Luther King and let’s not forget the riots which aren’t shown in this
film. Of course, because it is in that era we have to have the over
sequined dresses, the stilted choreography and ‘that Motown sound’. In
the last 45 minutes the screenplay veers off but we still having the big
star comedian melting down on stage and the unknown becoming a star in a
far fetched almost last minute concert.

Playing
the 3 sisters are Jordin Sparks (Sparkle) who really doesn’t have a
chance to prove anything regarding being an actress, Carmen Ejogo
(Sister) who comes through with a mostly solid performance and Tika
Sumpter (Delores) stealing every scene she is in and introduces the Afro
to a suppose in the know crowd. Mike Epps as Satin, Derek Luke as the
group’s manager and a love interest for one of the sisters and Omari
Hardwick, as Sister’s first boyfriend, are there for the females and
give strong support.

The
directing, by Salin Akil and the screenplay by Mara Brock Akil, are as
haphazard as the new songs, written by various composers including
Jordin Sparks, and are easily forgettable. The best song, and singer, is
Nina Simone’s recording of “Feeling Good” from 1965!