Sparkle

With its DVD release timed with the debut of Dreamgirls, filmmaker Sam O'Steen's unintentionally hilarious and overwrought drama also takes its inspiration from the spectacular success of The Supremes. Sparkle tells the rags-to-riches story of three Harlem siblings—sexy Sister (Lonette McKee), sweet Sparkle (Irene Cara), and dour Delores (Dwan Smith)—who attempt to break out of the ghetto as a singing trio. But when the slutty Sister breaks up the act by getting involved with an abusive pimp, Sparkle is prompted to go out on her own. But Sparkle has fallen in love with a neighborhood hustler (a pre-Miami Vice Philip Michael Thomas), and the mob has its hooks in him, so disaster appears to be waiting just around the corner. For pure, unadulterated hokum, it's tough to beat the script by Joel Schumacher, which is so goofy that you'll swear he penned the whole thing as a gag. But the cast plays it straight, and both Cara and McKee are effective in poorly developed roles that might have sunk the careers of lesser performers. The former, in fact, is so good (especially when she's singing) that you'll wonder why her own stardom was so fleeting. Impossible to take seriously, Sparkle nonetheless packs a great deal of entertainment value into its 98 minutes. DVD extras include a bonus five-track Aretha Franklin CD. A strong optional purchase. (E. Hulse)