The Clark Sisters Lifetime Movie Review 4-15-2020
My granny sat in the first row, beaming with pride as I approached the microphone to sing my first solo for the COGIC Convocation at 40th on State in Chicago. Bishop Mason had arrived and sat in the pulpit just in time. He did his customary wave as the people of God stood to honor him. The drums revved up and Sister Deloris began to direct the State Choir with the opening back and forth sway to the beat of the drums. I was nervous, there had to have been at least 3,000 people in attendance. The youth choir had joined the adult choir of over a hundred voices for my solo debut. It was the height of the war on drugs in Chicago and I had the honor of leading, “Say No”.
“I don’t need a needle, I don’t need a kilo, don’t need no cocaine, I don’t even need Mary Jane…”
The congregation stood on their feet and the message got across. My granny, with her pulled back hair and big glasses, clapped and waived her hands in the air as she encouraged me to, “sang Shanda!” Granny was a missionary and heavily involved in ministry within the COGIC culture. She and my granddaddy raised all twelve of their children and all of us grandkids in the Church of God in Christ. The evening came to a close and as we exited the sanctuary, children and adults alike came up to myself and granny to congratulate me on doing such a wonder job for The Lord. My heart was full and I felt like I had begun my calling right there, nine years old, at 40th church on State Street in Chicago.
This was one of many fond memories that I hold dear from growing up in the Church of God in Christ. One thing I can say, is COGIC don’t play about its gospel music. So, when the Clark Sisters’ biopic was announced to air on LIFETIME almost a year ago, I was more than excited. This movie was well overdue and unlike the some of the other weak biopics of our favorite entertainers, this one would be different. Why? Because unlike the other biopics, the audience for The Clark Sisters would have a vested interest. The audience for the Clark Sisters biopic are woven into its fabric, with real life, first hand experiences, that reached all the way back to choir rehearsals with the legendary Dr. Mattie Moss Clark. My own mother and aunts sang in those very choirs with the Clark Sisters and have shared stories of the infamous shoe throwing when the sopranos sang flat or chewed gum. This biopic would surely be a family affair. Considering that the country is on a stay-in-place order due to the COVID19 Pandemic, this movie would be a much-needed message of inspiration.
From the very first scene, I was captivated. I felt at home, like I was watching my family being played out on the television screen. Growing up COGIC, meant I understood the lingo, the upbringing, the emphasis on holiness. We wore skirts and dresses to choir rehearsal. I can’t ever recall my granny wearing pants until she was way up in her years. Even then her pants were only worn under her skirts to keep her frail legs warm in the brutal Chicago winters. As I watched the movie, I was right there, shaking my head in agreement as I switched back and forth from the memories of my late granny, Missionary Hayes and Aunjanue Ellis, the actress who portrayed Dr. Mattie Moss Clark.
The movie was done well, tastefully, riddled with truth and perseverance. It gave the viewers a sense of what the Clark Sisters had to endure as an all-female gospel group during a time when patriarchy was the ruling fist in the COGIC sector. Dr. Mattie Moss Clark was instrumental in the strides taken to give COGIC women a voice.
I really enjoyed Kierra Sheared and her portrayal of her mother, Karen Clark Sheard. In recent interviews, Kierra admitted that the role was her first major one and that she had to be encouraged to take on the role. Kierra was extremely nervous about portraying her legendary mother; Karen. She later went on to say that she wanted to make sure that she did her mother justice. I hope Kierra has gotten over her apprehension of acting, because I can definitely see more roles in her future. Besides, if there is anyone on the planet that can pull off a Karen Clark Sheard riff, it’s her daughter, Kierra Sheard.
I want to take a moment to dig into Dr. Mattie Moss Clark’s character. She represented so much more than the mother of the legendary Clark Sisters, she also represented every COGIC first lady, every woman with the call of God on her life. The demands and expectations of a COGIC born woman, were made plain. Dr. Clark displayed the strength and character of a pioneer. A woman who had to go against the norm and combat centuries of sexism and old mindsets that thought it was perfectly fine to use women as arm-pieces, without aspirations or callings of their own. Truly Dr. Clark reminded me so much of my granny and how she paved the way as a missionary and headed up the prison ministry when women weren’t allowed to preach to men. The movie showed Christian women to speak up for self in the midst of adversity. It showed women not to be afraid to go against the grain, and to count up the cost of doing so.
I absolutely loved the real-life blend that the actresses were able to get as they sang on behalf of the Clark Sisters; for the film. Most times audience members cringe when a biopic has to cast singers who can’t quite meet the expectations of the artist in which they portray, but as far as Christina Bell as Twinkie, Kierra Sheard as Karen, Shelea Frazier as Dorinda, Raven Goodwin as Denise and Angela Birchette as Jacky, they all did an exceptional job.
Other than Aunjanue Ellis as Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, I must say I was most impressed with Raven Goodwin, best known for her role as “Niecy Patterson” in Being Mary Jane, staring Gabriel Union Wade. Her character was defiantly believable and allowed audiences to peek into the life of the least known Clark sister; Denise. Although I am certain that Denise didn’t appreciate the portrayal of herself in the movie, her character still brought the needed juicy diversity to the film. After all, everyone has a “Denise” in their families.
I am grateful for the experiences that I’ve had growing up COGIC. The Clark Sisters made me, as well as the 2.7 million other viewers, feel like we have finally been recognized in Hollywood and in the mainstream. The Christian experience has been ignored for far too long and the stories we have to tell are endless. It seems that mainstream media and production houses are waking up to what we have known all along.
"Sex isn’t the only thing that sells."
Authenticity of the true human experience is appreciated, no matter how sanctified the backdrop is. I’m sure my granny and Dr. Mattie Moss Clark are in Glory, comparing notes on how they defied the odds and walked out their God given callings while they were alive. The Clark Sisters Biopic was truly a blessing, and stirred my spirit from the moment the opening credits began all the way until the close-up shot of the real Clark Sisters in the closing scene.
Until next time people, act on, live long and never be afraid to pursue your dreams, even if it means doing it during a time when the people who you are assigned to; aren’t ready to receive it. Special shout out to the executive producers Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige & Missy Elliott! You took a chance based off of your respect and love for the Clark Sisters’ gospel music, and it paid off big!
Scribal Prophet L.A. Holts
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