Sparkle

After watching a movie with your children or students, we encourage parents and teachers to look for education opportunities to teach with movies. Here are a few discussion topics that can help with lesson plans or teaching in the home.

Emma wants her daughters to see her singing aspirations as a cautionary tale for their own lives. Does the script justify her reasons for completely turning her back on performing? What other ways could she have acknowledged her daughters’ talents while helping them avoid the pitfalls she experienced? Do her actions at the end of the movie seem realistic?

Delores performs CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) in the movie. Get the history of this lifesaving procedure from the American Heart Association.

How does Sister treat her boyfriend Levi (Omari Hardwick)? What qualities does she fail to appreciate about him? Why is she attracted to Satin? Does her worry about her age play a role in her decision or would she likely have made the same choice at any time of her life?

Sparkle learns to face her lack of confidence. How important is that in comparison to her natural musical talent? What other qualities, beyond raw talent, does a person need to be successful?

Whitney Houston, who passed away in February 2012, makes one of her last public appearances in this film.