Film Review: The Sparks Brothers

The Sparks Brothers is a highly enjoyable cinematic journey through the life and times of “your favourite band’s favourite band”, Sparks. The awe-inspiringly prolific, but criminally underrated (as the film is dying to tell you) duo, made up of American brothers Ron and Russell Mael, have been making cerebral art-pop since 1969.

The brothers seem to relish telling their story, along with 80 of their colleagues, fans, and peers – including the likes of Jack Antonoff and Duran Duran, who lend their perspectives on the band’s genuine importance as a pop phenomenon. The duo found success mostly in the UK and Europe. Their constant parodying of hypermasculinity – which adds greatly to their likeability – seems to have put off US audiences. Edgar Wright, a long-time Sparks fan himself, has managed to create a witty and intelligent documentary that mirrors the self-aware absurdity of the brothers. With interviews shot only in black and white and visual puns galore, the energetic film pays handsome tribute to the truly remarkable brothers. Not just for nostalgia freaks!

Watch the trailer below.