Review

Sparkle

  • Review Date: August 16, 2012
  • PG-13
  • Genre: Drama
  • 2012

Common Sense Media says

Whitney Houston's final film has some mature elements.
Age
14
Quality
 
  • Positive messages2
    While there are some cautionary messages about marrying for money, allowing yourself to stay in an abusive relationship, and even not supporting your kids' passions, there are also positive themes. Sparkle, Stix, and Dolores all have big dreams: to make music and to become a doctor, respectively. Their journeys are filled with ups and downs, but none of them gives up, and by the end of the movie, they've all accomplished their goals.
  • Positive role models3
    Despite the two self-destructive characters, Sister and Satin, Sparkle does have several positive role models. Dolores considers singing a means to the end of getting into a good medical school and becoming a doctor; she's grateful for her mother's strict encouragement of education. Sparkle follows her dream of becoming singer-songwriter without being disrespectful to her mother. Emma seems overly rigid, but she realizes she shouldn't squash her daughter's dreams.
  • Violence2
    Domestic abuse is depicted; soon after their marriage, Satin begins to hit Sister, who fights back. Satin also strikes Sparkle across the face. Characters are shown with bruises on their face and body. Two men nearly come to blows at a nightclub. During a climactic fight, a character is killed in self defense.
  • Sex3
    Sister exudes sexuality with her sultry mode of singing, her barely there clothes, and her provocative dancing (the other two sisters are considerably more demure). In a couple of marital love scenes, Sister and Satin grope and kiss each other passionately while wearing nightclothes/lingerie. Sparkle and Stix kiss and flirt, and Sparkle mentions that she's a virgin. Emma mentions teenage hormones, premarital sex, and illegitimate children.
  • Language3
    Occasional strong language and insults, including a couple uses of "s--t," "a--hole," "bitch," "ass," "damn," "goddamn," "oh my God," "hell," "whore," and "jerk." Also some racial slurs, such as "Sambo" and "coon," said by African-American characters.
  • Consumerism1
    Mentions of Barry Gordy, Motown, Columbia Records, and Cadillacs.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking3
    In addition to drinking in nightclubs and parties, Sister's husband introduces her to cocaine and heroin and overindulging in alcohol. She becomes the cautionary-tale junkie by the end of the movie. Several characters smoke cigarettes -- from a mother to clubgoers.
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Sparkle is a remake of a '70s melodrama about the many travails that face those who seek fame and fortune in the music industry. Starring late pop superstar Whitney Houston (in her final film) and former American Idol champion Jordin Sparks, the period showbiz drama will appeal to both young Idol and older Houston fans. Like most showbiz industry tales, Sparkle has a fair amount of substance use (alcohol and drugs) and sexuality (passionate foreplay, revealing outfits, and discussion of adultery, premarital sex, and teen pregnancy). Even more unsettling is the portrayal of an abusive marriage that shows a couple hitting and hurting each other (the wife-beater is eventually killed in self defense). Despite the more intense elements, though, Sparkle is ultimately inspiring for young artists who want to reach for the stars.

This review of Sparkle was written by

Most useful reviews by all members

Parent
August 19, 2012
13
Pause for kids & under
 
Some influential messages, but it definitely isn't for everyone.
It's mixed in with good lessons, but I don't think you could go for a role - model here. The language is REALLY strong for a PG-13 movie, and I mean it. Your teens will be able to handle the violence, and mild sex talks, depending on how you've been talking to them... Yes, there are drugs, drinking, and smoking, but seriously.. is that so bad? This movie isn't for everyone, for people not interested in singing, or drama please spare yourselves and watch something of interest,because,well... it's a pretty lengthy movie.
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Teen, 13 years old
May 6, 2013
13
OK for kids & up
 
Sparkle is Surprisingly Good Movie that is Entertaining
I actually really liked this movie but it does have some mature moments. There are some sexual references as well as well as some suggestive clothes but the biggest thing in this movie is the topic of domestic violence. Its shows a man beating, hitting, and whipping his wife with a belt. Though the walls of the house cover most of this, its still hard to watch. Sparkle is a very good role model and this movie has a happy ending. Also, expect to see some drinking, swearing, and frequent smoking. Go see it!
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