The Sparks Brothers
By Tom Cassidy,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Star-studded positive music documentary has strong language.
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The Sparks Brothers
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What's the Story?
In THE SPARKS BROTHERS, director Edgar Wright and a host of famous friends present the story of innovative rock group Sparks, formed by brothers Ron and Russell Mael.
Is It Any Good?
For anyone with an interest in the arts, this affectionate and enlightening music documentary will shine as a love letter to integrity, creativity, humor, and dedication. The Sparks Brothers benefits from Wright's kinetic, cut-up filmmaking style as he splices together interviews, archive footage, and clips from movies. Aside from speaking honestly about the death of their father at a young age, there's maybe not a huge amount of personal information for Sparks fans to unearth here. But new interviews with brothers Russell and Ron Mael -- who under the guise of Sparks have released 25 diverse albums -- and hand-picked clips that show them at their very best, makes sure it's a true greatest hits ride through their career.
For newcomers or dabblers to Sparks, the documentary lifts the lid on what the movie calls "your favorite band's favorite band," signposting great singles, albums, and performances to devour once the credits have rolled. At two hours and 15 minutes, it runs a little long. But that's a minor gripe. Far from the dour, warts and all style of other music docs, The Sparks Brothers is an often hilarious celebration of music, art, and two oddball brothers who've never compromised and still haven't stopped creating.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the sibling relationship in The Sparks Brothers. What might be the pros and cons of working closely with family members? Do you know any other bands with siblings in?
Talk about the strong language heard in the documentary. Did it feel authentic? Why do you think those that swore chose to do so?
Sparks made a big impression with their distinctive looks and behavior on stage. Do you think it's important for an artist to be noticeable in this way? What other musicians have a unique persona?
Why do you think so many other bands and artists admire Sparks so much?
How did this music documentary compare to others? Did it inspire you to learn more about Sparks?
Movie Details
- In theaters: June 18, 2021
- On DVD or streaming: July 9, 2021
- Cast: Ron Mael , Russell Mael , Mike Myers
- Director: Edgar Wright
- Studio: Focus Features
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Music and Sing-Along
- Character Strengths: Integrity , Teamwork
- Run time: 135 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: language
- Last updated: June 2, 2023
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