The Sparks Brothers (2021)
96%RT Audience Score: 98%
Awards & Nominations: 2 wins & 26 nominations
Their albums may be cult favorites, but this Edgar Wright-directed documentary offers an introduction to Sparks that has something for everyone.
If you’re not already a fan of Sparks, this documentary directed by Edgar Wright is the perfect way to get acquainted with the quirky band. Even if you’re not into their albums, this film has got something for everyone. It’s like a crash course in all things Sparks, complete with hilarious interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. Trust me, you’ll be singing “This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us” for days after watching this. So grab some popcorn and get ready to be entertained by the wacky world of Sparks.
Production Company(ies)
Complete Fiction Media Rights Capital,
Distributor
Focus Features
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
O2 Forum, Kentish Town, London, England, UK
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language
Year of Release
2021
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:2h 21m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United Kingdom
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jun 18, 2021 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 31, 2021
Genre(s)
Documentary/Music
Keyword(s)
documentary, music, Edgar Wright, Ron Mael, Russell Mael, Flea, Beck, Jack Antonoff, Neil Gaiman, Nira Park, George Hencken, Laura Richardson, Focus Features, R rating, box office, cult favorite, underrated, influential, celebrity fans, bandmates, legacy, rock band, Sparks, weird, wonderful, musical odyssey, commentary, introduction, critic reviews, audience score, verified ratings, streaming, theaters, runtime, distributor, aspect ratio, cast and crew, Mark Kermode, Baltimore Magazine, Times (UK), Daily Telegraph (UK), The Jewish Chronicle, Next Best Picture, Cinegarage, City AM, Deep Focus Review, Jaredmobarak.com, Cinemanía (Spain)
Worldwide gross: $1,124,790
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,223,329
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,549
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 133,406
US/Canada gross: $648,665
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $705,492
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,255
US/Canada opening weekend: $273,530
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $297,493
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,544
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Russell Mael – Self
Edgar Wright – Self
Flea – Self
Beck – Self
Jack Antonoff – Self
Director(s)
Edgar Wright
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Nira Park, Edgar Wright, George Hencken, Laura Richardson
Film Festivals
Sundance, South by Southwest
Awards & Nominations
2 wins & 26 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (160) | Top Critics (41) | Fresh (153) | Rotten (7)
Seemingly too bonkers to be actually true, and that’s what I loved about it.
August 5, 2021
Mark Kermode
Kermode & Mayo’s Film Review
TOP CRITIC
From bucket-of-water tomfoolery to visually inventive biography and witty musicology, this really does have something for the girl with everything.
August 1, 2021 | Rating: 5/5
Mark Kermode
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
The Sparks Brothers film is smart, funny, infectiously weird, a little geeky, a little too long, a little niche, and consistently entertaining.
July 30, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/4
Max Weiss
Baltimore Magazine
TOP CRITIC
The film is too long and, although Wright hopes it will convert heathens, it’s still probably one for the fans. The Maels, however, make enjoyably unpredictable hosts.
July 30, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Ed Potton
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Less a documentary than an intensive course of art-pop hypnotherapy: even those who enter the cinema knowing next to nothing about the pair will leave feeling like lifelong enthusiasts.
July 29, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Robbie Collin
Daily Telegraph (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Wright presents an unabashed love letter to a band he clearly loves and does it with style, humour and great attention to detail.
July 29, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Linda Marric
The Jewish Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Leave it to Edgar Wright, one of today’s most unique and electric directors, to bring a true music story to the screen that defies clichés and instead serves as a celebration of long-lasting talent and collaborative harmony.
July 8, 2022 | Rating: 8/10
Cody Dericks
Next Best Picture
An imaginative documentary, the brothers Mael are interviewed and they take it in stride, capturing the Sparks spirit. [Full review in Spanish]
June 30, 2022
Erick Estrada
Cinegarage
The affectionate tone is perfectly in keeping with Wright, a filmmaker who got his break making a show chock-full of Star Wars references. The Sparks Brothers proves that his passion is an asset rather than a hindrance.
March 3, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
James Luxford
City AM
Wright delves into the Maels’ life and career, cracking and peeling away at the enigmatic shell to get at the good stuff inside.
February 12, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
Wright appears to be their biggest fan with a keen understanding of the Sparks brand and the perfect collaborative spirit to let their eccentric personalities shine.
December 4, 2021 | Rating: 8/10
Jared Mobarak
Jaredmobarak.com
Their speeches are as brilliant as their song lyrics. [Full review in Spanish]
November 19, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Andrea G. Bermejo
Cinemanía (Spain)…
Plot
“The Sparks Brothers” is a documentary about the influential and underrated band Sparks, taking audiences on a musical odyssey through five decades with commentary from celebrity fans and celebrating the inspiring legacy of the band.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The documentary features commentary from celebrity fans Flea, Beck, Jack Antonoff, Jason Schwartzman, Neil Gaiman, and more.
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