Review: ‘Sparkle’ sputters amid mushy melodrama

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TikSumpter (from left) Carmen Ejogo JordSparks star 'Sparkle.' | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

Tika Sumpter (from left), Carmen Ejogo and Jordin Sparks star in "Sparkle." | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

'American Idol' winner JordSparks plays title character 'Sparkle.' | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

"American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks plays the title character in "Sparkle." | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

The dram'Sparkle' features JordSparks as an aspiring singer. | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

The drama "Sparkle" features Jordin Sparks as an aspiring singer. | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

Mike Epps plays Satstand-up comedian 'Sparkle.' | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

Mike Epps plays Satin, a stand-up comedian, in "Sparkle." | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

Whitney Houstnot only starred 'Sparkle' but produced film. | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

Whitney Houston not only starred in "Sparkle" but produced the film. | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

JordSparks leads cast 'Sparkle' her first starring role for big screen. | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

Jordin Sparks leads the cast of "Sparkle," her first starring role for the big screen. | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

'Sparkle' which is remake 1976 film same name stars TikSumpter (from left) Carmen Ejogo JordSparks. | TriStar Pictures/Sony

"Sparkle," which is a remake of the 1976 film of the same name, stars Tika Sumpter (from left), Carmen Ejogo and Jordin Sparks. | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

'Sparkle' was passiproject for Whitney Houston. | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

"Sparkle" was a passion project for Whitney Houston. | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

Derek Luke (left) stars as Stix 'Sparkle' which also features Omari Hardwick as Levi. | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

Derek Luke (left) stars as Stix in "Sparkle," which also features Omari Hardwick as Levi. | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

The musical trio 'Sparkle' is played by TikSumpter (from left) Carmen Ejogo JordSparks. | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

The musical trio in "Sparkle" is played by Tika Sumpter (from left), Carmen Ejogo and Jordin Sparks. | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

'Sparkle' features JordSparks (left) as title character Whitney Houstas Emma. | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

"Sparkle" features Jordin Sparks (left) as the title character and Whitney Houston as Emma. | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

With Whitney Houston's death February eve Grammys 'Sparkle' has become memorial sorts singer actress. | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

With Whitney Houston's death in February on the eve of the Grammys, "Sparkle" has become a memorial of sorts to the singer and actress. | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

Carmen Ejogo stars as Sister 'Sparkle' which is new theaters. | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

Carmen Ejogo stars as Sister in "Sparkle," which is new to theaters. | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

In this scene from 'Sparkle' Sister (Carmen Ejogo) performs stage. | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

In this scene from "Sparkle," Sister (Carmen Ejogo) performs on stage. | TriStar Pictures/Sony photo

★★ “Sparkle” is like a box of Fourth of July sparklers. It sizzles briefly whenever people open their mouths to sing, flames out, then flashes to life again when someone lights another musical sparkler. In between, when people open their mouths to talk, the characters …