Sparkler

I avoided this movie for the longest time because of the video box, which prominently features Jamie Kennedy and Freddie Prinze Jr. Ugh. However, upon renting it, I was pleasantly surprised. It's actually a unexpectedly entertaining, well-written and acted indie film about a trailer trash chick who dumps her loutish husband and searches for independence. Along the way, she meets up with the before-mentioned teen hearthrobs and acts as a catalyst for their own personal growing experiences. The director imbues his material with a caustic, cynical edge which is refreshingly unique for this type of film, and thankfully prevents it from degenerating into sappy, maudlin Oprah-style "I am woman hear me roar!" melodrama. Park Overall is excellent in the title role, but the real surprise here is Veronica Cartright - who demonstrates more of the comic genius she displayed in "The Witches of Eastwick." Some of her lines had me rolling on the floor.

Well first of all I have to say I mainly rented this since I found out that Jamie Kennedy was in it, and I didn't think it'd be that good because well I was only 13-years-old thinking this would be boring. I was wrong though and this turned out to be my favorite independent film by far... It starts off with A 30-something trailer-park lady Melba May (Park Overall)who finds her husband cheating on her with a friend and she soon goes out for the night to "celebrate her freedom". Before she goes to a nearby diner, the calls a psychic who tells her that she will bump into three kings. Well she didn't know that when she went to the diner, that three young guys Trent, Joel, and Brad were her three kings, who were on there way to Las Vegas to win money so they could pay rent. Anyways, many things happen to them all, and some of them have secrets that nobody else ever knew before. This movie shows a variety of people who are diverse and teaches you a few lessons about life. Great cast, great script, every actor gave this movie something that most big blockbuster type films can't.

I watched the movie, not by choice and I liked it! Though parts of the movie at times had that B flick actor/actress quality, it did have a unique plot.

I also started searching for the soundtrack and have been unsuccessful. Though Deborah Falconer has released an cd entitled: Brave Like Me with a song titiled (CD Release Date: 7/22/2003): "Show of Hands", it is not the same song as in the movie. I would appreciate any comments or links to a site that offers to sale the Sparkler soundtrack. Or, I would be willing to buy a copy from anyone interested offering?

"Show of Hands" Written by Deborah Falconer Performed by Deborah Falconer

If you're reading this,I advise you to go out and rent this,RIGHT NOW.I cant believe this didn't win any major awards,hello,Oscars,you there?I wont tell you the plot,because many people have told it several times.But I'll tell you that this movie gets to you.At first you don't think it'll be anything,but it sneaks up on you!It's just sad that it's so unheard of.This movie is so good,guys.Go see it.

And if you don't like the actors,you should kick yourself right now,because they are all of AMAZING talent.I wish people would stop underrating FPJ.He's really an ABOVE AVERAGE actor,and it makes me sad that people don't see it.People probably think that because of some of his other roles(which any actor would appear bad in).But,he's genuinely a very good actor.

And no one takes Jamie Kennedy seriously either,yet,he too actually has TALENT.Please,rent this and watch all of these actors with an opportunity to spread their wings.They're all wonderful.This movie is very touching.Rent it.Now.

This movie started off like a sweet and quirky "Sordid Lives"-esque vehicle for Park Overall, trailer trash and infidelity and other cliches. Then it switched into what the box cover promised, a no-brainer teen buddy comedy.

Then Veronica Cartwright showed up, and all bets were off.

It goes down a weird path, to be sure--are we supposed to care about the grotesques we meet in this film, or be grossed out? Or both? Is it supposed to be funny that Flint keeps yanking women's hair and harassing them (its not funny, it's creepy/mean)? Is this movie on the side of its gay characters or pointing at them in fun along with everything else?

I didn't worry too much after Veronica showed up, because from that point on all I could do was stare in awe at this amazing actress and wonder why she doesn't get more opportunities. I can't believe John Waters hasn't cast her in anything, she'd be perfect.

This movie has two of the greatest laughs I've ever had in a movie, but I'm not sure they were deliberate. One is when Veronica's dessert blows up in her face and she starts screaming,the other is when she's croaking for "Oh, Ed!" at the end. There's just something hysterical about Veronica shrieking and I don't know what it is, but I'm glad the makers of this film exploited it.

I have this movie cued to those 2 scenes and play them when I need to cheer up. My friends like it too; we say, "Sweet Jesus! My eyebrows!" to each other all the time.

Thanks for the laughs and hope to see more quirky, similar material like this soon...

Oh, and Freddy Prinze is as bad as usual (Why does he say "sh" for everything instead of "s," like "shurprise!" Just curious).