MovieChat Forums > Sparkle (1976) Discussion > Who's responsible for Sister's downfall?

Who's responsible for Sister's downfall?

posted 18 years ago by sherreward
16 replies | jump to latest

Everyone could see that she appeared to be, but wasn't a very strong person. She had the hard-as-nails outlook but she was weak to temptation.

Eventhough there were many obsticles in her path, she chose the wrong way to cope with her insecurities.

I've often wondered if any of the other characters were to blame for her demise.

Such as:

Levi- for introducing her to Satin and becoming a member of his gang to impress her.

Effie- for not being the deciplinary figure she should have been.

Sparkle- for supplying Sister's habit by giving her money to buy the dope that eventually killed her.

Satin- for beating her and getting her hooked on the dope.

Stix- for not cracking down on her as the group's manager and just letting it happen.

Tune Ann- for not saying anything to curb Sister's overt behavior.

The only character that gave Sister "what for" was Delores, who seemed to be the only one to care enough to tell her she's going no where with Satin or her life. Of course Effie does tell Sister that Satin is no good, but Sister doesn't listen to her. We never see the urgentcy of Effie's plead to Sister not to good down that road of drugs and self-destruction. Instead we see Effie along with the others just let Sister do what Sister wants to do, regardless of the effects her actions will have on them and the untimely end of Sister's life.

So besides Sister making the decision to be a drugged out piece of **** for Satin, who else do you think is to blame for her downfall????? Anyone?

[–] odulumni99 18 years ago

Sister's vain, greed and arrogance killed Sister, so she had herself to blame for that one. So, I don't feel sorry for her, which is why the movie was not named for her. Sister was basically one of the antagonists in the movie, if you ask me.

[–] davesmooth 18 years ago

I agree, Sister only had herself to blame. She was the oldest sister, the best looking one, so she should have been the one to guide the other sisister's through life. However, she didn't and it is her own fault.

[–] BackNdaDAYfemme 18 years ago

It was Sister's fault and bears the majority of the responsibility. Sparkle was an enabler by going to pick up her drugs for her. Come on, Sister didn't see Satin beat up the woman he was with and take the fur coat off of her to give to her....come on, how stupid could she have been? I guess that's rhetorical cause she ended up strung out and OD'ed as a result. A wasted vain, short life Sister had.

I like ugly boys. I hang out with you guys.
Roll Bounce

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] JoeLoebner 18 years ago

It's all about choices. It was Sisters choices to shack up with a woman beater and let herself become an addict and die.

[–] virgo_730921 18 years ago

Sister is to blame for her own downfall....Her mother did tell her that Satin would just drag her to the gutter w/him and she has lived in Harlem all her life and knows "big time" when she sees it. Sometimes as parents you have to let your children fall...even if you see they are heading down a path of self -destructiveness. Once sister decided to use her looks instead of her brains to get her ahead in life - she like those types of women are always headed on a path to hell and self destruction.

[–] dee-153 17 years ago

Yes I agree Sister has herself to blame. She was young and naive. I just noticed after all these years how her and Levi characters were alike. They wanted to live the good life but went about it the wrong way. I think half the reason why Levi went into business with Satin is to win Sister over cause he knew fancy stuff impressed her. But word of wise: Be careful how you make your bed in this world because the one that's gonna be lying in it is you. You can't blame others for the bed you made. So yeah Sister did it to herself.

[–] mommymccoy 17 years ago

It was definately Sista's choice! I remember seeing this for the first time as a child and thinking "Why would Sista hook up with Satin? She just watched him punch his current girl in the stomach, take her fur and send her home in a cab!" Everyone in the dressing room at the time witnessed this, if you take a look at Sistas face she was impressed by it. I think she was attracted to that lifestyle and would have ended up there anyway.

[–] Pinky2000 17 years ago

It's always the bad a** that makes a girl's heart beat faster! She was into that thug status and power. She was attracted to the lifestyle. There are people like that. Sister's downfall was the fault of herself.

YOU MADE ME PLAY SECOND BASE!

[–] monifest 16 years ago

Yes, Sister was at fault. We only saw Effie speak to her once, but I'm thinking she probably talked to her off-camera as well. But Sister was one of those people who doesn't listen to anyone. She thought she knew it all and she paid the ultimate price because of it.

[–] WarpedRecord 15 years ago

It looks like the posts are unanimous in this, and I'll add to the chorus: Sister had no one to blame but herself. She was attracted to the lifestyle, until it ultimately destroyed her. Some women are driven to drugs by boyfriends, pimps or abusive families, but not her. Sister was doin' it for herself!

[–] ow-3 15 years ago

Sister sure was doin it for herself. She is like so many girls in the hood even today still. They microwave women... want everything quick.

[–] Ilario1 14 years ago

Sista was on the come up. That's why she hooked up with Satin who was the top dog in their circle. I've seen this happen so many times in real life. Women go for the guy with the money no matter what the cost.

[–] simba122504 14 years ago

Herself.

I'm glad Obama won, but I will not jump on the Pro-Choice bandwagon