The Sparks Brothers

Name: The Sparks Brothers
Genre: Music, Documentary
Released: June 18, 2021
Duration: 140 min
Rating: 80
Cast: Alex Kapranos, Beck, Bernard Butler, Christi Haydon, Dean Menta

2021

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 33 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 24 Ratings

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6.6

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6.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 24 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Focus Features | Release Date: June 18, 2021 | Not Rated

Starring: Alex Kapranos, Beck, Bernard Butler, Christi Haydon, Dean Menta, Flea, Fred Armisen, Giorgio Moroder, Harley Feinstein, Jane Wiedlin, Mike Myers, Neil Gaiman, Nick Rhodes, Patton Oswalt, Ron Mael, Russell Mael, Steve Jones, Tony Visconti, Weird Al Yankovic

Summary: How can one rock band be successful, underrated, hugely influential, and criminally overlooked all at the same time? Edgar Wright’s debut documentary The Sparks Brothers, which features commentary from celebrity fans Flea, Jane Wiedlin, Beck, Jack Antonoff, Jason Schwartzman, Neil Gaiman, and more, takes audiences on a musical odysseyHow can one rock band be successful, underrated, hugely influential, and criminally overlooked all at the same time? Edgar Wright’s debut documentary The Sparks Brothers, which features commentary from celebrity fans Flea, Jane Wiedlin, Beck, Jack Antonoff, Jason Schwartzman, Neil Gaiman, and more, takes audiences on a musical odyssey through five weird and wonderful decades with brothers/bandmates Ron and Russell Mael celebrating the inspiring legacy of Sparks: your favorite band’s favorite band.
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Director: Edgar Wright

Genre(s): Music, Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 140 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Mark Kermode

Aug 1, 2021

From bucket-of-water tomfoolery to visually inventive biography and witty musicology, this really does have something for the girl with everything. Read full review

Ed Masley

Jun 15, 2021

It's not a short documentary, running just shy of two hours and 21 minutes. But it never quite feels like it's dragging, owing in part to the offbeat sense of humor but also the sense of discovery. Read full review

Ethan Anderton

Feb 2, 2021

This portrait of Sparks is just as lighthearted and delightful as the music you’ll be tapping your toe to throughout the entire movie. As soon as the movie is over, you’ll probably be adding Sparks songs to your streaming playlists and hoping that this won’t be the last time that Edgar Wright feels compelled to give us a deep dive into one of his favorite musical acts. Read full review

Lorry Kikta

Feb 2, 2021

This funny, heartwarming, and thorough documentation of Sparks’ career [is] a benchmark by which all future music documentaries will be judged. Read full review

Glenn Kenny

Jun 17, 2021

The Sparks Brothers, an energetic documentary directed by Edgar Wright, explains their appeal in part by emphasizing how it cannot be explained. Read full review

Polygon Noel Murray

Jun 18, 2021

Wright takes an exhaustive approach to the band’s career, going album by album, talking to collaborators and supporters as well as to the Maels. Throughout, Russell and Ron remain somewhat aloof, perhaps by design. They’re more open about their past and their intentions here than they’ve ever been in interviews, but they aren’t about to give away all their secrets. Read full review

Brad Wheeler

Jul 8, 2021

The film is too long for the non-enthusiast. And we don’t learn much about the brothers’ personal lives – it’s as if they exist for the band and nothing else. But even if the music isn’t your thing, it’s hard not to admire the duo’s commitment to their creative impulses. Read full review

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User Reviews

naud

Jun 21, 2021

Infectiously warm introduction (for many) and tribute to a duo who’s been right here all along. Its hard not to be won over by both the music and the filmmaking. The film should serve its purpose of generating new fans while Ron and Russell are still with us. We loved it.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

TVJerry

Jun 22, 2021

Brothers/bandmates Ron and Russell Mael have been recording and playing around the world since 1967, but many people (myself included) have never heard of them. This doc features the duo in a “formal” studio interview, as well as numerous musicians who’ve been involved with or influenced byBrothers/bandmates Ron and Russell Mael have been recording and playing around the world since 1967, but many people (myself included) have never heard of them. This doc features the duo in a “formal” studio interview, as well as numerous musicians who’ve been involved with or influenced by them. There’s also a lot of stills and footage detailing most of their output. Surprisingly, they’ve been prolific and popular all this time and this is an entertaining way to discover them. The only complaint (even the 2:15 running time didn’t get tiresome) is that there’s almost no insight into their personal life. It’s a quirky movie that echoes Sparks’s eccentric style by showcasing their fascinating and innovative creative output.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

davemelbourne58

Jun 20, 2021

You know a movie is good when you can make a band that I was aware of in the 70's and 80's, but a band that I didn't know too much about, and make that band FASCINATING. I loved this movie.The Mael brothers are eccentric, and yet quite normal. Their self -depracating humor shines through inYou know a movie is good when you can make a band that I was aware of in the 70's and 80's, but a band that I didn't know too much about, and make that band FASCINATING. I loved this movie.The Mael brothers are eccentric, and yet quite normal. Their self -depracating humor shines through in this movie. I think it's that humor that bonds these two brothers to continue making music to this day. I am so glad I took a chance on learning more on why the "Sparks Brothers' are able to take a licking and keep on ticking close to 50 years on in their fascinating career. Dont leave during the credits, either. I don't even like their music, and yet I still love this band thanks to this movie.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

sergiopalma02

Nov 16, 2021

I had no idea who these guys were as I walked into the theater. I walked out still having no idea who they are. I tried listening to their music on the drive home and it was pretty terrible.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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