Critic Reviews

• Derek Elley, Variety

  Though on paper the movie sounds like a slick relationship comedy, it plays much more realistically.

• Geoff Andrew, Time Out

  Most effective when the deceits perpetrated not just by Sam but by several others begin to take their wretched toll, and a real sense of pain intrudes.

• Philip French, Observer [UK]

  Sparkle it doesn't, but it's well performed.

• Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

  Strongly natural performances and a likeable cast, plus a subtle examination of more serious themes, make it well worth seeing.

• Derek Malcolm, This is London

  A little more cinematic flair might have made Sparkle live up to its title better.

• Neil Smith, Independent

  The Graduate comes to London in this thoughtful Britcom.

• Tim Robey, Daily Telegraph

  Low-budget with a subtle script and real, rounded characters.

• Martin Hoyle, Financial Times

  Inertly plotted, haltingly paced, further embarrassed by Bob Hoskins in shyly lovesick mode, this broken-backed mess is fitfully illuminated by Anthony Head in a camp turn and the American Stockard Channing, her style as immaculate as her English accent.

• Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]

  Funny, likable and watchable, with some nice performances, particularly from Bob Hoskins as a lovelorn older man.

• , Sun Online

  The plot of Sparkle fails to shine.

• James Christopher, Times [UK]

  A bittersweet joy.

• , Daily Mirror [UK]

  Shades of The Graduate colour this small but charming Brit-flick with the Mrs Robinson role taken by Stockard Channing.

• Anna Smith, Film4

  An appealing little British comedy with a fun concept, a witty script and an uplifting ending. Bob Hoskins is a real stand-out: if only the film's hero had his sparkle.

• Kevin Harley, Total Film

  Thank heavens for Hoskins, Manville and Channing, whose weathered sparkle is enough to satisfy none-too-demanding rom-com requirements.

• Jason Wood, Little White Lies

  Sparkle reveals both a clarity of vision and an undeniably infectious charm.

• Helen OHara, Empire Magazine

  Sparkle may not be an obvious bobby dazzler but seek it out and you'll be rewarded with a real gem.

Read all 16 critic reviews