Do you like documentaries about obscure bands? Do you like music? Do you like to have fun? If you answered yes to ANY of these questions, as soon as youâre done reading this go out and grab a ticket to see Edgar Wrightâs newest film THE SPARKS BROTHERS in theatres ASAP.
âWho are the Sparks brothers?â you may ask. In short, the best, most famous band that youâve never heard of. Or have you? When I was thinking about what I was going to write for this review I thought that I have a lot of friends in the music industry and an even bigger group of friends who are âin the knowâ about music so surely I have friends who are long-time fans of Sparks, right?
When I saw the trailer I thought âIs this a joke? This is a mockumentary, right?â âNoâ I was told, âIt absolutely isnât, theyâre real and theyâve been around since the 60s.â American brothers Russell and Ron Mael have indeed been making music as Sparks for over 50 years. Various musicians and personalities like Duran Duran, New Order, Weird Al, Pamela DesBarres, and Todd Rundgren are interviewed about being inspired by and/or working with the musical duo over the years. Sparks are both hugely popular to each of the interviewees and also a conundrum to them. Theyâve been around forever and have played with the biggest names in rock and pop and yet have never really made it âmainstreamâ. I had an epiphany that maybe Iâve seen every musical act in the documentary live EXCEPT for Sparks. Minutes later when the brothers talked about their collaborations with Giorgio Moroder I realized why YES I have heard this music before! And several remixes of these tracks. đ€Ż
Director (and self-proclaimed Sparks fanboy) Edgar Wright does a fantastic job telling Sparksâ story by blending interviews, historical concert footage, photos, recreations, and animations; all of it smart, funny, and touching. The brothers are incredibly lovable in the doc and have led quite an interesting life. Youâll understand why Edgar and so many others love them and I think youâll fall in love with Sparks too.
As I was going to bed after the screening last night I was sad I hadnât had a chance to see them live. Cut to todayâs early morning research: I found that maybe I did see them after all â at least a few minutes of their 2013 Coachella performance. I was there and they played at exactly the time I would have been at that particular stage (Mojave). Sparks had been there all along in my life, and thereâs a good chance theyâve been there in yours and you donât even realize it.
THE SPARKS BROTHERS is currently showing in a limited release at your local multiplex and arthouse theatre. Itâs my absolute favorite new film of 2021 so far and I think it might be yours too. Donât let the most famous band youâve never seen become the best film youâve never seen.