Warner Brothers has just released the 2-Disc Special Edition of Sparkle on DVD. With the recent release of DreamGirls, this great film is right on time with a story about the tribulations of making it in the music industry and the pitfalls it can lead to.

THE MOVIE

Directed by Sam O'Steen, who up until this point, was widely known for his film editing in such classics as "Who's Afraid of Virgina Woolf" with Elizabeth Taylor, "The Graduate" with Dustin Hoffman and "Rosemary's Baby" with Mia Farrow, Sparkle stars Irene Cara, Dwan Smith and Lonette McKee as a trio of soul singers with personalities that differ from one another. They struggle to make a name for themselves as "The Hearts" and later as "Sister and the Sisters" amidst the pressure of life in their less-than-posh neighborhood. When "Sister" (Lonette McKee) is badly abused by a local pimp, Delores (Dwan Smith) throws verbal reprimands at her for being involved with such a low life, after which, "Sister" begins using cocaine as a non-judgmental companion. Through the course of Sister's dangerous narcotic indulgences, the lives of her fellow group members would be forever changed. "Sparkle" (Irene Cara) has been yielding to the advances of "Stix" (Philip Michael Thomas), an around-the-way ordinary guy, since the very beginning. Stix has some musical inclination himself, but is also pining for Sparkle's affection. She's a young girl of strong moral fiber who believes that even kissing is a "sin". When Delores leaves the group by running away from home, Sparkle finally takes Stix up on one of his suggestions - that she step out on her own as a singer with the help of some studio time that he has. She hits the charts and begins to experience her own success in the wake of the numerous tragedies along the way. Stix is a bit surprised and overwhelmed at the new-found fame of Sparkle, but continues to support her until a past debt catches up with him. He is confronted by men who demand that he repay a $10,000 loan. He refuses, and is snatched up by the men and beaten severely, unbeknownst to Sparkle who is busy singing in front of a large audience. Just how high is the price of fame, and is it a price that Sparkle is willing to pay? The road "from downtown to uptown" is one filled with potholes.

Although Sparkle is fictional, it bares a close resemblance to the many girl groups of the 1960s who had to endure under the heartless weight of the music industry. This tale was told with an ensemble of big names. Director Sam O'Steen's credits were previously mentioned; but in addition, the screenplay was written by Joel Schumacher, who went on to become an A-list director in Hollywood. Irene Cara as "sparkle" was not a stretch of the imagination. Cara was herself a singer, penning such memorable hits as "Flashdance...What A Feeling", a song for which she won an Academy Award in 1984. Philip Michael Thomas, who played Stix, is best remembered for his role as Ricardo Tubbs in the 80's hit television series "Miami Vice", starring opposite Don Johnson. Thomas also tried his hand at a music career in 1985 with his album "Living the Book of My Life". The album did not do well at all and he abandoned music to return to acting. Lonette McKee, who played Sister, was a musical prodigy as a child, recording her first album at age 14. Since Sparkle, McKee has kept consistently busy. Her film credits run all the way to 2006 with the movie "ATL". Sparkle is based on a story by Howard Rosenman, whose experience is mainly as a producer. Though he'd only worked on a few projects prior, his career afterward would take off, with production credits spanning the United States and Europe. He currently has films in the works through 2008. This combination of people made Sparkle into a "cult classic" of sorts. It has become the predecessor to many films about the entertainment industry.

THE DVD

Warner Brothers has done this movie tremendous justice, double-disc style! Not only do we enjoy a stellar audio and video transfer, but as a bonus, the film's Curtis Mayfield fueled soundtrack is included. Though written and produced by Mayfield, the soundtrack is an Aretha Franklin album, including the hit song "Something He Can Feel". The film's theatrical trailer is also included, making this disc a must-have for fans of the movie, as well as for music fans in general. and This set is AVAILABLE NOW!

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Gary S.